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THE ORIGINAL 

PHI BETA KAPPA 

RECORDS 



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The Original 
Phi Beta Kappa Records 

INCLUDING 
THE MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS 

From December 5, J 776 to January 6, iJZt 

at the 

COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY 
Williamsbttfg:, Virginia 

and also 

The Form of Initiation, the Constitution and the 

Form of Charter Party 

Authorizing the Establishment of Branches or 

Meetings at Harvard and Yale 

With Introduction and Notes by 

OSCAR M. VOORHEES 

SECRETARY OF THE UNITED CHAPTERS 

Reprinted from the 

PHI BETA KAPPA KEY 

ILLUSTRATED 




om from 
IHrs. Marcus Benjamin 



p4 THE PHI BETA KAPPA RECORDS 

Introduction 

All members of Phi Beta Kappa are aware that the history 
of the original Society is unique. Of the main facts we are now 
in full possession. For many years this was not the case, owing 
in part to the loss of the original records, and in part to the early 
transference of the Society's activities from Virginia to New 
England. The finding of the records has made possible an entire 
rewriting of the early history of the Fraternity. 

It is now over thirty years since the records were re-discovered. 
For a time they were only known through a manuscript copy. 
But in July, 1896, they were published in The William and Mafy 
College Quarterly Historical Magazine, which was and still is 
edited by Dr. Lyon G. Tyler, President of the College, and have 
since been available to students, not, however, to the great major- 
ity of our members. Hence we take this occasion to reprint them 
that this unique original source of Phi Beta Kappa history may be 
generally available. 

For a history of the original society based upon a study of the 
original records our readers are referred to an article by the 
writer, printed in The Key, vol. i, no. 7, pp. 8-36. This was sup- 
plemented by an article in the following number entitled ''Our Phi 
Beta Kappa Fathers in Public Life." These articles embodied 
the researches of the author, begun in 1890 when a student in 
theology at New Brunswick, N. J., the result of v/hich was a 
paper read before the Alpha Chapter of New Jersey and pub- 
lished a year later in the Alpha of New Jersey Catalogue. This 
paper was expanded as a result of further study into an address 
delivered before the National Council held at Williamsburg, Va., 
September, 1907, entitled ''Our Phi Beta Kappa Fathers in Fra- 
ternity and Public Life," and printed in the proceedings of that 
Council, and later in the articles in The Key. 

3 



4 The Phi Beta Kappa Records 

The historical sketch pubHshed in the Rutgers Chapter Cata- 
logue in 1891 was the first general history of Phi Beta Kappa pre- 
pared with a copy of the original records as a source of informa- 
tion. The story of the loss and recovery of these records is full 
of interest. The minutes of the closing meeting of the Society 
tell the story thus : 

"1781. On Saturday, the 6th of January, a meeting of the $ B K 
was called for the purpose of Securing the Papers of the Society dur- 
ing the Confusion of the Times, & the present Dissolution which threatens 
the University. 

The members who attended were William Short, Daniel C. Brent, 
Spencer Roane, Peyton Short, & Landon Cabell. They thinking it most 
advisable that the papers should not be removed, determined to deliver 
them sealed into the Hands of the College Steward, to remain with him 
until the desirable Event of the Society's Resurrection. And this De- 
posit they make in the sure & certain hope that the Fraternity will one day 
rise to Life everlasting and Glory immortal." 

It is presumed that the resolution was carried out and the col- 
lege steward made custodian of the box with its precious contents. 
Of its hiding place during the next sixty-seven years we have no 
positive knowledge. Dr. Tyler surmises that it was placed by 
the steward in the hands of Landon Cabell, one of the five mem- 
bers present at that last meeting, when he returned to college in 
1783, and was thereafter in his possession until his death, and 
then came into the hands of his son, Dr. Robert H. Cabell. At 
any rate, in the latter part of 1848, Dr. Cabell, then a resident 
of Richmond, Va., delivered the minutes of the Phi Beta Kappa 
meetings into the keeping of the Virginia Historical Society. See 
The Virginia Historical Register, vol. ii, p. 52.* What became of 
the other papers of the Society we do not know. Our researches 
thus far fail to reveal any article published at the time that throws 
light upon the circumstances accompanying the return of the rec- 



*The statement in The Register is very brief, being included in the 
report presented to the Society at its quarterly meeting held on December 
14, 1848, by the Librarian of "books and other things" that had been do- 
nated during the quarter. The entry appears far down in the list and is 
as follows : 

"The Original Record of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, established at 
William and Mary College, in 1776. By Dr. Robert H. Cabell of Rich- 
mond." 



Introduction 5 

ords. But that they should have been accepted without causing 
comment seems improbable. 

The first result was a movement looking to the revival of the 
Society at the College of William and Mary. It was found that 
William Short, who was president in 1781, was still living in 
Philadelphia, and his assent to the revival of the Society was se- 
cured. However, he did not live to participate in the reorganiza- 
tion, for he died December 5, 1849, having passed his ninetieth 
birthday. The reorganization was not effected until June 25, 
185 1, and then not as a society of students, on the lines of the 
original Society, but of mature men who invited students to their 
circle, in accordance with the characteristics the Fraternity had 
come to exhibit in the ten chapters then in existence. 

The only further reference in the annals of the Virginia His- 
torical Society to the revived chapter is in a report of the librarian 
of the receipt in 1856 of a pamphlet entitled "A Discourse on 
the Convention of 1776 delivered before the Phi Beta Kappa 
Society of William and Mary College by Hugh Blair Griggs- 
by, Esq., by the author." See The Virginia Historical Reporter, 
which succeeded The Register, vol. i, part iii, p. 9. 

But Phi Beta Kappa was doomed to a second eclipse at Wil- 
liam and Mary, for the Civil War came within ten years, and Col- 
lege and Society suffered another period of inactivity. Unfor- 
tunately the records of those ten years, including the account of 
the reorganization, are lost — no doubt beyond recovery, for the 
college was burned during the Civil War. But the original rec- 
ords remained safe, though practically forgotten, in the archives 
of the Virginia Historical Society. 

When and how they came to be found we have not learned. 
Hon. Frederick Chase, in his historical address, delivered June 29, 
1887, at the Centennial of the Alpha of New Ham.pshire at Dart- 
mouth, speaks of the ''recent discovery of them in the files of the 
Virginia Historical Society where they had lain forgotten some 
forty years." It was evident that he had before him a partial 
if not a complete transcript of these records when preparing 
the address. He made slight use of their revelations, however, 
as his particular theme was the Alpha of New Hampshire. 

Another article prepared with the records at hand appeared 



6 The Phi Beta Kappa Records 

in the October, 1886, number of The Delta Kappa Epsilon Qtuur- 
terly, by Hon. John DeWitt Warner, Cornell ^2, entitled "The 
First Greek Letter Society." While Mr. Warner made careful 
use of the records in order to establish his thesis that Phi Beta 
Kappa was the original Greek Letter Fraternity, he made no 
effort to give a complete statement of the revelations of the orig- 
inal records. Hence the present writer's article in the Rutgers 
Chapter Catalogue of 1891 was in reality the first attempt to set 
forth the history of the original Society with these records as a 
principal source. 

It was through the courtesy of Mr. Warner that the writer 
first saw the original manuscript, and obtained the copy from 
which his own manuscript copy was made. The printing of the 
records in The William and Mary College Quarterly in 1896 has 
made unnecessary further use of this manuscript copy, but it is 
cherished as one of the fruits of early researches into Phi Beta 
Kappa history. 

The publication of the Rutgers Chapter Catalogue gave the 
writer his first introduction to the larger circle of Phi Beta Kappa 
readers, and led to his selection as Secretary of the United 
Chapters. After a period of inactivity the College of William 
and Mary was revived in 1888 by the establishment in connection 
with it of the State Male Normal College of Virginia. Shortly 
thereafter Col. William Lamb, who became a member of the 
chapter in 1855, and had been actively associated with the col- 
lege since 1867 ^s a member of the Board of Visitors, took steps 
to revive the chapter at the college. For some time he was 
unable to find the records, but was put on track of them by the 
writer. The chapter was reorganized December 9, 1893, and in 
1895 sent Col. Lamb as its first delegate to the National Phi Beta 
Kappa Council held that year. By it he was elected a Senator 
and served thereafter two full terms. In 1907 he was elected a 
Senator for Life, being the second member to be accorded this 
honor. It w3.s on his nomination that the writer was elected to 
the secretaryship by the Council of 1901 — a nomination made, as 
then stated, in recognition of the aid given in locating the original 
records. On the request of the revived chapter they were re- 
turned in 1895 by the Virginia Historical Society to the College 



Introduction 7 

of William and Mary, where they are carefully preserved as ob- 
jects of veneration. 

These records consist of twenty-five folios of rough unsized 
paper, measuring seven and three-fourths by twelve inches. The 
first page contains a list of forty-nine members and is consider- 
ably worn by folding; the second is blank; on the third page is 
the introductory statement ; on pages four to nine the ''oath 
of fidelity" and twenty-seven "proper and salutary laws" that 
comprised the constitution of the Society for tv/o years ; the 
tenth is blank, and the minutes of the seventy-three succeeding 
meetings occupy pages eleven to fifty. With the meetings of De- 
cember 5, 1776, and January 5 and March i, 1777, at which the 
organization was perfected, there were seventy-six meetings in 
all. Of these, one was held in 1776; twelve, in 1777; seven- 
teen, in 1778; twenty-seven, in 1779; eighteen, in 1780; and 
one in 1781. 

According to the records three men occupied the position of 
clerk — Thomas Smith, January to May, 1777; William Short, 
May, 1777, to December, 1778; and John Morison, January, 
1779, to January, 1781. The minutes are presumably in the hand- 
writing of these men, though other members occasionally served 
as clerks pro tem. 

In printing the records some liberties are of necessity taken, 
since the peculiarities of the different writers cannot be accurately 
reproduced. For instance it is not thought necessary to print for 
'"the" the abbreviation "ye" which one clerk used and the others 
did not. The purpose is to reproduce the thought of the writers 
essentially as it was expressed. Capitals and punctuation marks 
are reproduced as shown in the manuscript. The notes are for 
the most part by the editor, but he cannot hope to give in each 
case the source of his information. Large credit is due and freely 
given to President Lyon G. Tyler of W^illiam and Mary, whose 
researches in Virginia history have been long continued and of 
inestimable value. 

New York, N. Y., 
August, 1919. 



8 



Facsimile List of Members 





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FIRST PAGE OF THE ORIGINAL RECORDS 

Members of the Phi Beta Kappa Society at William and 
Mary. For a corrected list see the next page. 



Corrected List of Members 



OUR "PHI BETA KAPPA FATHERS'^ 



"A List of members who have been initiated 
into the S. P. aHas $ B K Society 



John Heath, 
Thomas Smith, 
Richard Booker, 
Armistead Smith, 
John Jones, 
John Stuart, 
Daniel Fitzhugh, 
Theoderick Fitzhugh, 
John Storke, 
Isaac Hite, 
Wilham Short, 
John Morison, 
George Braxton, 
Henry Hill, 
John Allen, 
John Nivison, 
Hartwell Cocke, 
Thomas Hall, 
Samuel Hardy, 
Archibald Stuart, 
John Brown, 
Preeson Bowdoin,* 
Lyttleton Eyre,* 
Daniel Carroll Brent, 
Thomas Clements, 



Thomas William Ballendine, 

Richard Baker, 

John Moore, 

Spencer Roane, 

William Stith, 

William Stuart, 

John James Beckley, 

Thomas Savage, 

John Page, 

William Cabell, 

Elisha Parmele,f 

Geo. Brent, 

Peyton Short, 

Joseph Cabell, 

John Marshall, 

Bushrod Washington, 

Thomas Lee,* 

Landon Cabell, 

Wm. Pierce, 

Richard B. Lee, 

William Madison, 

John Swann, 

Thomas Cocke,* 

Stevens Thompson Mason,* 

George Lee Turberville.* 



*These names are supplied from the minutes, as the portions of the 
page on which they were written are worn away. The name of George 
Lee Tuberville has been added, as he took part in the meeting of May 
i8, 1780. His name should precede that of John Marshall, and perhaps 
also of others. With this addition there are fifty names ori the list. These 
men comprise the 'Thi Beta Kappa Fathers" of the writer's paper men- 
tioned in the introduction. 

fin the minute recording the election and initiation of Mr. Parmele his 
name is written Elijah Parmale. In the minute of December 5, following, 
it is twice spelled Parmelie. On his will, now preserved in the library at 
Harvard, his name is signed Elisha Parmele. 



10 



The Founder and the Medal 




JOHN HEATH, THE FOUNDER AND FIRST PRESIDENT OF 

PHI BETA KAPPA 

From a photograph of a miniature said to have been painted by Rem- 
brandt Peale, and now in the possession of a descendant living in Califor- 
nia. The privilege of reproducing the portrait was secured through a great 
grandson of John Heath, the late James E. Heath, Esq., of New York 
City. This portrait was first used in Phi Beta Kappa Publications, New 
Series, No. lo. May, 1910. For a biography of John Heath see The Phi 
Beta Kappa Key, vol. 2, pp. 317-326 and 365-373. 





THE ORIGINAL PHI BETA KAPPA MEDAL 

These illustrations were made from a facsimile of an original medal in 
the possession of the Virginia Historical Society, and were first used to 
adorn the covers of the Alpha of New Jersey catalogue in 1890. The His- 
torical Society's medal is, we believe, the only original in existence. 



Phi Beta Kappa Organized • ii 

THE MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS 

On Thursday, the 5th of December, in the year of our Lord 
God one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, and the first of 
the Commonwealth, a happy spirit and resolution of attaining the 
important ends of Society entering the minds of John Heath, 
Thomas Smith, Richard Booker, Armistead Smith, and John 
Jones, and afterwards seconded by others, prevailed, and was ac- 
cordingly ratified. 

And for the better establishment and sanctitude of our una- 
nimity, a square silver medal was agreed on and instituted, en- 
graved on the one side with S. P., the initials of the Latin 
Societas Philosophiae,^ and on the other, agreeable to the former, 
with the Greek initials of ^tkoaocfiLa Blov Kv^epv^Tr/?,f and an index 
imparting a philosophical design, extended to the three stars, a 
part of the planetary orb, distinguished. 

In consequence of this, on Wednesday the 5th of January, 
1777, a session was held, in order both to adopt a mode of initia- 
tion and to provide for its better security. 

And first in corporation, an oath of fidelity being considered as 
the strongest preservative, an initiation was accordingly resolved 
upon and instituted as follows : 

I, A. B., do swear on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God, or 
otherwise, as calling the Supreme Being to attest this my oath, 
declaring that I will, with all my possible efforts, endeavour to 
prove true, just, and deeply attached to this our growing frater- 
nity; in keeping, holding, and preserving all secrets that pertain 
to my duty, and for the promotion and advancement of its internal 
welfare. 



*In the record as it now appears only the initials S and P appear, the 
letters following having been erased in part, and then covered over with 
ink. For many years there was uncertainty as to the Latin motto and 
many conjectures found currency. By a careful examination, made dur- 
ing the Council of 1907, Dean Birge of the University of Wisconsin was 
able to establish to his own satisfaction the motto as above. His report of 
his examination was published in Phi Beta Kappa Publications, New 
Series, No. 8, 1909. Dean Birge's conclusions have been generally accepted 
as correct. 

fXhe letters following the three initials were entirely erased, but not 
inked over as in the case of the Latin motto. 



12 



Facsimile of a Page of the Records 



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PAGE FIVE OF THE ORIGINAL RECORDS 

Containing the first four of the twenty-seven resolu- 
tions, elsewhere called "Laws," which constituted in 
reality the first Phi Beta Kappa Constitution. 



The First Members and Laws 13 

Whereupon the oath of fideUty being thus prescribed and insti- 
tuted, was afterwards severally administered to the respective 
gentlemen, viz. : John Heath, Thon^as Smith, Richard Booker, 
Armistead Smith, John Jones, Daniel Fitzhugh, John Stuart, 
Theoderick Fitzhugh, and John Stork, as the first essays or rudi- 
ments to an initiation. In consequence of this, we severally, 
freely, and jointly proceeded to the election of officers, proper 
and most suitable for its internal regulation. 

Upon the recommendation of three members, viz. : John Heath 
as President, Richard Booker as Treasurer, and Thomas 
Smith as Clerk, the society esteeming them as necessary persons 
for the functions of their several duties accordingly selected 
them. 

The fraternity having gone through the business of the present 
session, after a recommendation of certain proper and salutary 
laws, to be prepared against the next ensuing meeting of March 
the 1st, jointly adjourned. 

March ist. Agreeable to the recommendation of our preced- 
ing session, we have severally presented the subsequent laws as 
proper and most conducive to the advantage of our growing fra- 
ternity : 

Resolved ist. That in every design or attempt, whether great 
or small, we ought to invoke the Deity, by some private sacrifice 
or devotion, for a fraternal prosperity. 

2. That a profanation of the preceding oath of fidelity subjects 
the Member to the pain of the universal censures of the fraternity 
as well as the misery of certain expulsion. 

3. That eviery member, after being properly initiated, shall be 
obliged to furnish himself with a Medal, wholly corresponding 
with, those of the Fraternity. 

4. That an orderly session of members from the President 
downwards should be observed. 

5. That in case of the incapacity or necessary absence of the 
president, the choice of any other member shall be left to the dis- 
cretion of the Society. 

6. That the non-attendance of any single member, unless by 



14 



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PAGE SIX OF THE PHI BETA KAPPA RECORDS 
, Articles six to ten of the Original Constitution 



The Original Laws or Constitution 15 

some certain obstructing inability, or cogent necessity, subjects 
him to the penalty of five shillings. 

7. That no gentleman be initiated into the Society but Col- 
legians, and such only who have arrived to the age of sixteen 
years, and from the Grammar Master upwards ; and further, be- 
fore his disposition be sufficiently inspected, nor then without the 
unanimous approbation of the Society.* 

8. That every member during a session behave with a becoming 
decency, and declare their sentiments, vicissively preventing con- 
fusion. 

9. That the least appearante of intoxication or disorder of any 
single member by liquor, at a session, subjects him to the penalty 
of ten shillings. 

10. That for the encouragement of any new invention of Arts 
and Sciences, some premium be allowed from the public treasury. 

11. That six members shall be the fewest sufficient for the exe- 
cution of business. 

12. That each member when desirous of proposing anything to 
this fraternity shall rise from his seat and particularly address 
the President. 

13. That a regular meeting of once a month, unless a necessity 
of sooner convening should interpose, is hereby established and 
ordained. 

14. That the duty of Treasurer in keeping accurate estimates 



*There were three departments at the college : First, the Grammar or 
Latin school, the head of which was called the Grammar Master or Pro- 
fessor of Humanities. He was assisted by an usher, sub-usher, and writ- 
ing master. This school was open to children of eight years and upwards, 
who were termed scholars. The school corresponded to the English 
preparatory schools of Eton and Harrow. On attaining a sufficient age, 
they were passed to the philosophy schools, and were ranked as students, 
and assumed the cap and gown. There were two philosophy schools, viz. : 
that of natural philosophy and mathematics, and that of moral philosophy, 
in which was taught rhetoric, the Belles-lettres, and moral and mental 
science. After passing these schools, the student if he chose divinity as a 
profession attended the lectures of the Professors of Divinity, of whom 
there were two. K he proposed to be a lawyer or doctor, he apprenticed 
himself to some eminent practitioner in Virginia, or went to the universi- 
ties of Oxford, Cambridge, or Edinburgh, or studied at the law schools in 
England, the Inns of Court, Middle Temple, etc. — President Tyler's 
Note. 



1 6 The Constitution Continued 

and accounts of all reimbursements as well as disbursements is 
esteemed nothing but legal and constitutional. 

15. That if any dispute, attended with animosity and indigna- 
tion, should arise amongst us, such a matter ought to be recog- 
nized by a session of the whole Society. 

16. That the President be invested with the prerogative of con- 
vening the members of this fraternity, when he shall deem it 
expedient ; that he have likewise the privilege of giving a decision, 
when there shall happen a division of voices, and the power of 
commanding due attendance to be paid him while discharging the 
important function of his office. 

17. That the duty or ofhce of the Clerk be indispensably requi- 
site, as well in keeping a proper roll or conscription of the frater- 
nity, as fair and legible books in writing. 

18. That four members be selected to perform at every session, 
two of whom in matters of argumentation and the others in 
apposite composition. 

19. That such of the compositions as are denied worthy by the 
Society shall be carefully preserved and endorsed by whom and 
at what time delivered. 

20. That the youngest on the roll be appointed Herald for the 
function of convocating the members. 

21. That the infringement of any of the laws enacted or to be 
enacted, except such as have the fines annexed, subjects the mem- 
bers to the discretionary punishment of the Society. 

22. That no member shall be expelled without the unanimous 
concurrence of the Society. 

23. That every person after being initiated pay into the public 
treasury the sum of 6s — Dollars.* 

24. It is also ordained that any number of members shall have 
full authority and Power to transact Business of any kind, when 
these members shall think it absolutely necessary for the preserva- 
tion of the Society. 

25. That any Law or Laws which is, are, or may be enacted 



♦This word is in a diff-erent hand, and was added later. On August 22, 
1778, the initiation fee was made $5. On June 27, 1779, it was raised to 
$10. 



Minutes of March and April, 1777 17 

agreeable to Resolve cannot be altered or amended in less than a 
month after the proposed amendment, and then by a majority. 

26. That if the number of members, according to Act nth, 
cannot be convened, any smaller number shall have power of 
doing Business of any kind. But such Business, Initiation except- 
ed, shall always be subject to be cancelled by a majority until con- 
firmed according to Act nth.* 

27th. Whereas, by Resolve 19th respecting Declamation and ar- 
gumentation, it is intended that those compositions only be pre- 
served which may do honour to the Society : and, forasmuch as it 
is inconvenient for the whole meeting to take the merit of them 
into their due consideration : 

Resolved that three members be appointed to judge of the 
Performances, and always to inform the ensuing meeting of their 
Determination. Provided, however, that when either of the ap- 
pointed judges declaims, a temporary successor to him as judge 
be appointed by the meeting.f 

March 27th. At a called meeting, Mr. Isaac Hite, being recom- 
mended as a worthy member of this fraternity,t was accordingly 
initiated. After which we jointly adjourn ourselves to the estab- 
lished time. 

April 5th. Mr. Booker having been charged at a meeting of 
this fraternity of a thorough infringement of three of the preced- 
ing resolves, viz. : 6th, 13th and 14th, and whereupon, being will- 
ing to receive his defence, we have postponed his examination to 
the next meeting. After which we jointly adjourn ourselves. 

April 15th. At a call meeting, Mr. William Short, Mr. John 
Morison and Mr. George Braxton, being recommended as worthy 
members of this Society, were accordingly initiated. The business 
being finished, we adjourn ourselves. 

April 19th. Mr. Booker, having appeared and made his de- 
fence, was, with honour and unanimity restored to the 



*This law, and also the one that follows, is in another hand. It was 
adopted July 4, 1778. 

fAdopted August 8, 1778. 

JNote the use of the term fraternity, though here with a small initial 
letter. In Law i a capital is used, while in Laws 5, 7, 15, 21, and 22 So- 
ciety appears. The two terms, "fraternity" and "society," seem to be used 
interchangeably. 



i8 New Officers Chosen 

good opinion of this Society. The business being finished, we ad- 
journ ourselves. 

May 3d. For the better distinction of the fraternity between 
themselves in any foreign country or place, it is resolved that a 
[The remainder of the paragraph erased.]* 

Mr. Heath,f having resigned the office of President, the frater- 
nity proceeded to the appointment of a successor, and Mr. T. 
Smith being recommended, was accordingly appointed. 

In consequence of this appointment, they proceeded to the choice 
of a Clerk, and Mr. Wm. Short being recommended, was also ap- 
pointed. 

The fraternity having finished the business of the evening, ad- 
journed to the second Saturday after the expiration of the holi- 
days. 

June 1 6th. At a call meeting, Mr. Booker, Treasurer, having 
resigned his office, delivered to the Society the money in his hands. 
And the Society adjourned. 

June 21 St. In consequence of Mr. Booker's resignation, Mr. 
Isaac Hite being recommended, was appointed to succeed him. 
Ordered that Mr. Hite and Short be appointed to revise the laws 
and propose to the next meeting such new ones as seem to them 
necessary. The business of the night being finished, the Society 
adjourned. 

July 2. At a call meeting, in order that the President might re- 
sign on account of his leaving College, he resigned accordingly, 
and delivered a speech, which is ordered to be carefully kept. 

In consequence of the above resignation, the Society proceeded 
to the choice of a successor, and Mr. Heath being recommended, 
was re-elected to this important post. The business being finished 
an adjournment took place. 

July 26th. The Society having met agreeable to appointment 
assented to the amendments made by those chosen at the last 
session to revise the laws and make such propositions to the next 



*This evidently provided for the grip, which has been preserved 
throughout a long series of initiations and should not be omitted. The 
erasure was so thoroughly done that only a few words can be deciphered. 

fMr. Heath's resignation seems not to have been permanent, for the 
appears later as president. See the minutes of July 2d. It would seem that 
he left college temporarily. 



The First Anniversary 19 

meeting as seemed to them necessary. The business being fin- 
ished, the Society adjourned. 

Nov. 29th. Mr. Heath, President, being absent: agreeable to 
the fifth resolve the Society proceeded to the choice of a tempo- 
rary President, and Mr. Armistead Smith being recommended as 
a proper person, v^as accordingly elected. 

Mr. Henry Hill being recommended as a worthy member of this 
Society, v^as initiated. 

The Business of the evening being finished, the Society ad- 
journed to the 5th of next M'onth, being the Anniversary, to be 
kept at the Raleigh.* 

February 24. At a call meeting, the President being absent, 
they proceeded to nominate one in his stead, upon which Mr. 
Short being recommended, was elected. Mr. John Allen, Mr. 
John Nevison, and Mr. Hartwell Cocke being recommended as 
worthy members of this Society, were accordingly initiated. 

The business of this evening being finished, the Society ad- 
journed to 

February 28. At a call meeting, Mr. Hall being recommended 
as a worthy member of this Society, was accordingly initiated. 
After which an adjournment took place. 

March 21st. At a meeting of this Society agreeable to an ap- 
pointment at the last Session, Mr. Fitzhugh and Mr, Stuart de- 
livered their Declamations, which are ordered to be preserved. On 
a motion made for an Amendment to the thirteenth Resolve, or- 
dered that for the future a meeting of once a fortnight be ob- 
served. Mr. Theoderick Fitzhugh and Mr. Isaac Hite being next 
on the Roll, are appointed to produce a Declamation at our ensu- 
ing meeting. The Business being finished, an adjournment took 
place. 

April 4th. At a meeting of this Society, agreeable to an ap- 



*Note the celebration of the first anniversary. We must regret that 
no record was made of the exercises that marked the occasion. The cele- 
bration of an anniversary must be deemed an essential feature of an ortho- 
dox Phi Beta Kappa chapter. 

It will be noted that during this first year five members were added to 
the original nine, Isaac Hite in March ; William Short, John Morison, and 
George Braxton in April; and Henry Hill in November. We should also 
bear in mind that practically all the initiates were in their teens, and were 
admitted shortly after entering the college. 



20 



Raleigh Tavern and Apollo Room 




THE RALEIGH TAVERN 




APOLLO ROOM 

A tradition persists that the first meeting of Phi Beta Kappa was held in 
the Apollo room of Raleigh tavern, though the minutes do not so state ; but 
they do affirm that other meetings, especially anniversaries, were held there. 
Of this famous Inn Lossing thus writes in his Field-Boole of the Revolution, 
Vol. 11, pp. 278 and 280, from which also the illustrations are taken : 

"When I visited Williamsburg in December, 1848, the front part of the 
old Raleigh tavern had been torn down, and a building in modern style was 
erected in its place. The old tavern was in the form of an L, one portion 
fronting the street, and the other extending in right angles, in the rear. Both 
parts were precisely alike in external appearance, and as the rear building 
was yet standing and unaltered, I am able to give a restored view of the 
Raleigh as it appeared during the Revolution. The leaden bust of Sir Walter 
Raleigh, which graced the front of the old inn, now oraments the new build- 
ing." 

"The [Apollo] room used for public meetings is in the rear building . . , 
and up to the day of my visit remained unaltered. Carpenters were then at 
work remodeling its style, for the purpose of making it a ball room ; and 
now I suppose that apartment hallowed by so many associations connected 
with our war of independence has scarcely an original feature left. Had my 
visit been deferred a day longer, the style of the room could never have been 
portrayed. . . . This view is from the entrance door from the front portion 
of the building. . . . The sound of the hammer and saw engaged in the 
work of change seemed to me like actual desecration ; for the Raleigh tavern, 
and the Apollo room are to Virginia, relatively, what Faneui) Hall is to Massa- 
chusetts." 



Minutes, April to August, 1778 21 

pointment at the last session, Mr. I. Hite and Mr. T. Fitzhtigh 
deliver'd their Declamations, which are ordered to be preserved. 

April 4th. At a call meeting, the President being absent, the 
Society proceeded to nominate one in his stead ; upon which Mr. 
I. Hite being recommended, was elected, and likewise Hartwell 
Cocke was chosen Clerk. 

Mr. J. Morison and Mr. G. Braxton being next on the roll, are 
appointed to produce a Declamation in opposite composition at 
our ensuing meeting. 

The Business being finished, an adjournment took place. 

May 2. At a meeting of this Society, agreeable to former ap- 
pointment, Mr. Morison delivered his Declamation, which is or- 
dered to be preserved. Mr. Braxton being absent. 

The Business being finished, adjournment took place. 

July 4th. At a meeting of this Society according to adjourn- 
ment: ordered that an addition of the 25th and 26th Resolves be 
made to the former Body. The Business being finished, an ad- 
journment took place. 

July 25th. At a meeting of this Society, it being found conven- 
ient to have temporary Presidents, the members proceeded to con- 
firm one in that office and Mr. Smith being deemed a proper Per- 
son, w^as accordingly elected. 

Ordered by an unanimous voice of the present meeting, that an 
Amendment be made to Resolve 25th. 

The Business of the Evening being finished, an adjournment 
took place. 

July 30th. At a call meeting for the Initiation of Mr. Samuel 
Hardy, recommended as being worthy of an admission into this 
Fraternity, he was accordingly initiated. 

There being no other Business, an adjournment took Place. 

Aug. 8th. At a meeting of this Society, W. Short and J. Allen 
delivered their Declamations agreeable to appointment. 

Ordered that an addition of the 27th Resolve be made to our 
Code of Laws. That Mr. Hardy, Mr. Hall, Mr. Fitzhugh, Mr. 
Short be appointed judges agreeable to the above resolve. 

That the absentees of former meetings be exempted from Fines, 



22 The Initiation Fee 

and in future the excuses be examined at their next attendance 
without Fail. 

The Business of the night being finished, an adjournment took 
place. 

Aug. 22nd. Resolved that the last appointment of Judges of 
Composition be abolished, and that three members, agreeable to 
Resolve 27th, be chosen by Ballot. The Society proceeded to this 
appointment ; upon examination of the Box, the greatest Number 
of votes appearing in Favour of Mr. Hall, Mr. Short and Mr. J. 
Stuart, they are accordingly confirmed. 

Resolved, that as the Price of Initiation hitherto paid is inade- 
quate to the Purpose, it be augmented to five Dollars. 

Resolved, that in future, meetings of this Society be held regu- 
larly once a week. An adjournment. 

Aug. 29th. Resolved, that three members be appointed to re- 
vise the Laws, and that an Election of them be held on the next 
full meeting. 

That every member who desires to propose anything to this So- 
ciety produce it in writing. 

That every member who is absent from the Society be written 
to in the most pressing Terms to attend on the 5th of December 
in order to celebrate that glorious Day which gave Birth to this 
happy Union. The Society, wishing not to impose this Business 
altogether on the Clerk, proceeded to appoint an assistant, Mr. 
Hardy, to him for this Purpose. 

Resolved, that the two members appointed to argue, agreeable 
to Resolve i8th, shall be confined to the subject of the Composi- 
tions delivered at the same meeting; and that it be moreover 
strongly recommended to the other members, as an additional and 
improving Exercise, to give their sentiments extempore on the 
same subject after hearing the others. 

Sept. 4. At a meeting of this Society, the President being ab- 
sent, Mr. Short was appointed to that Post. Mr. Hall and Mr. 
Cocke, agreeable to the last appointment, delivered their Declama- 
tions upon the advantages of an established church.* Three mem- 



♦While the fact of literary exercises being held has been frequently 
mentioned this is the first time that a record is made of the subject dis- 
cussed. Though the rule governing these exercises — Law 18 — was definite 



Minutes, September to December, 1778 23 

bers, agreeable to a Resolve at the last meeting, were appointed to 
revise the Laws, viz., Mr. Stuart, Mr. Hall and Mr. Hardy. Mr. 
Hall being one of the Judges, a temporary successor was appointed 
to inspect his performance, viz., Mr. Hardy. An adjournment. 

Sept. II and 18. At two meetings no Business appearing from 
Absence of the appointed Members. Adjournment took Place. 

Oct. 10. At a meeting of this Society, resolved that a late Reso- 
lution requiring a convention of members once a week be annulled, 
and that in future, meetings be held as formerly, viz., once a Fort- 
night. 

Nov. 2 1st. Not a sufficient number of members appearing hith- 
erto at this meeting, it was resolved that Messrs. Smith and Stuart, 
being the two oldest members, declaim at the next meeting, and 
that Messrs, Fitzhugh argue on the same subject. 

Resolved, that Messrs. F. Fitzhugh, Morison and Cocke be ap- 
pointed to make Provision for the ensuing Anniversary, that it 
may be celebrated with a becoming Solemnity. 

Mr. Archibald Stuart being recommended as a gentleman 
worthy an admission to this Society, was in due form introduced. 

Whereas the members of this Society are willing to take under 
their care objects worthy of charity. Resolved, that Messrs. Hardy 
and Cocke be appointed to look out for some Orphan likely to re- 
ceive advantage from being put to a proper School, and make 
their report of the same to the ensuing meeting. 

Resolved, that the Clerk purchase for the use of the Society 
two Quires of paper,* and that he draw upon the Treasurer for 
the Price of the same. An adjournment. 

December 4th. At a called meeting, it appearing that the State 
of the Society was declining through Want of Members, Resolved, 
that a committee be appointed to take the same into their consid- 



the practice varied somewhat. A subject being assigned, two of the four 
appointed to "perform" were expected to bring in written dissertations 
extemporaneously — "opposite composition and argumentation" as it was 
elsewhere termed. The Judges of Composition were expected to report 
on opposite sides of the subject, and the other two followed, speaking 
the fact in case they deemed any composition worthy of preservation. Their 
reports were seldom recorded. 

*It was upon part of the paper the purchase of which was thus au- 
thorized that the records of the society were copied for preservation. 



24 



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PAGE NINETEEN OF THE ORIGINAL RECORDS 



Record of the second anniversary at 
The Raleigh 



The Second Anniversary 25 

eration. Resolved, that Messrs. Hall, Hardy, A. Stuart, Short, 
and J. Stuart be appointed. 

Messrs. John Brown, Preeson Bowdoin, Lyttleton Eyre, and 
Daniel Carroll Brent, being severally recommended as gentlemen 
worthy an admission to this Society, were accordingly initiated. 

The Business of the Evening being over, the Society adjourned 
with an agreement to meet on to-morrow evening at the Raleigh, 
to celebrate the Anniversary of this fraternity. 

Dec. 5th. The Society having met agreeable to appointment, 
after the President had resigned and delivered a valedictory on 
the Occasion, the Night was spent in Jollity and Mirth. Mr. J. 
Heath and Thomas Smith, of the former members, attended on 
this auspicious Day, for which they have the grateful Acknowl- 
edgments of the Society.* 

December loth. At a meeting of this Society, upon a motion 
made that a President be elected, it was agreed on, and after ex- 
amining the Ballot box, the greatest Number appearing in Favor 
of Mr. Short,f he was in pursuance confirmed, for which the So- 
ciety received his Thanks. 

Resolved, that in future, admission to this Society be not con- 
fined to Collegians alone. That if any Member appointed to de- 
claim or argue, absent himself on the Night of his intended Per- 
formance, he be subject to the Penalty of five Dollars, unless his 
excuse be deemed sufficient by the Society. 

Mr. J. Stuart, formerly appointed one of the Committee to re- 
vise the Laws, being about to leave College, Mr. A. Stuart was ap- 
pointed to succeed him. An adjournment. 



*Thus closes the record of the second year. The effort to hold weekly 
meetings will be noted, and its failure ; though fortnightly meetings con- 
tinued wnth commendable regularity. Several additions were made to the 
Code of Laws, until in September a committee was appointed to propose a 
thorough revision. Note the interest shown in the anniversary, for which 
plans were laid in August, and absent members invited. Two appeared. 
Ten members were initiated during the year, John Allen, John Nivison, 
Hartwell Cocke, and Thomas Hall in February; Samuel Hardy in July; 
Archibald Stuart in November ; and John Brown, Preeson Bowdoin, Lit- 
tleton Eyre, and Daniel C. Brent in December. The total membership 
was twenty-four, of whom a number, perhaps one-half, had left college. 

fWilliam Short thus becomes practically the second president, for 
while Thomas Smith had been elected in May, 1777, he left college and re- 
signed early in July, and John Heath again became president. 



26 



William Short, the Second President 




President of the <J) B K at the 

College of William and Mary 

from December lo, 1778, 

to January 6, 1781 



Revision of the Laws Ordered 27 

Jan. 23rd. At a meeting of this Society, the Clerkship be- 
ing vacant by appointment of the late Clerk to the chair, a new 
one was balloted for, and the greatest number of votes appearing 
in favour of Mr. John Nivison, he was accordingly confirmed. 

Resolved, that in future, members be elected and expelled by 
ballot, and that it be performed by the words Pro and Con. 

Mr. Heath and Mr. Hite were appointed to engage in composi- 
tion, and Messrs. Short and Nivison in argumentation at the ensu- 
ing meeting. An adjournment. 

February 6th. At a meeting of this Society, Mr. Heath being 
absent, Ithe compositions were not delivered. 

Mr. Clements being proposed as a worthy member was balloted 
for and received. 

Mr. Ballandine being also recommended as a worthy member 
was balloted for and received. 

On a motion made for appointing a Successor to Mr. Samuel 
Hardy in order to revise the laws, Mr. Short was appointed to 
succeed him. 

On account of Mir. Hite's indisposition he is excused and Mr. 
Short appointed in his stead to produce in opposition to Mr. 
Heath. Messrs. Hall and Nivison to argue. The business of the 
evening being finished,, an adjournment took place. 

February 27th. At a meeting of this Society, Messrs. Heath 
and Brown, upon making known the reason of their absence at the 
last meeting, were excused by Ithe Society. 

According to appointment, Messrs. Heath and Short delivered 
their compositions, and Messirs. Hall and Nivison argued. 

Messrs. Hite and Bowdoin were appointed Judges instead of 
Messrs. Hall and Short, who were engaged in composition and 
argumentation. 

Messrs. Stuart and Brown were appointed to produce composi- 
tions on the justice of African Slavery. Messrs. Bowdoin and 
Eyre to argue. The Forms of Initiation instituted by the Com- 
mittee were read and resolved upon. [The Form of Initiation 
foUozvs. The minutes are continued at the top of page J5]. 



28 



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PAGE TWENTY OF THE ORIGINAL RECORDS 

New officers elected including William Short as 
President to succeed John Heath 



The Form of Initiation 29 

'Terms and Ceremonies of a Society Adopted February 27, 1779* 

The Person to be initiated having been properly recommended 
and approved, shall be brought to the door by him who recommend- 
ed him : Then he shall be met by some other member who shall in- 
troduce and seat him on a Chair prepared for the purpose, the 
whole Society rising from their seats and bowing: — The Stranger 
at the same time having a Paper in his hand which he, after being 
seated shall deliver to his guide, who shall read it as follows : 

"The address of ■ — - — — — of to the Members of 

the $ B K. 
Gentlemen 

From a full conviction of the benefit arising from Society in 
general, and particularly from one which I hope has Friendship 
for its Basis, Benevolence and Literature for its Pillars I am in- 
duced to accept of the Invitation for an admission into the <l> B K, 
and for the honor conferr'd on me by this invitation I return you 
my most sincere thanks." 



*While the text of the Form of Initiation does not appear in the min- 
utes, it has been preserved in the records of the Alpha of Massachusetts, 
and is printed here that it may be easily accessible to students of Phi Beta 
Kappa history. It has been presumed that the "Committee" which reported 
this Ritual was the one definitely mentioned in the next paragraph as re- 
porting for consideration a revision of the laws, but this fact is not defi- 
nitely stated in the minutes recording its authorization and appointment. 
See the minutes of August 29 and September 4, where the work assigned to 
the Committee was "to revise the laws." We find no reference to the ap- 
pointment of another committee; hence the inference that the one commit- 
tee brought in both reports. As originally constituted by election the com- 
mittee consisted of John Stuart, Thomas Hall, and Sarnuel Hardy. Three 
months after he was named as a member of the committee, John Stuart 
resigned, being about to leave college, and Archibald Stuart was appointed 
to succeed him. This was on December 10, 1778, just two weeks after he 
became a member. The other members of the committee were also 
neophytes, for Mr. Hall had been a member but a little over six months 
and Mr. Hardy only five weeks, when they were placed on this important 
committee. Three weeks before the committee made its report, Mr. Hardy 
resigned, and was succeeded by William Short, who was the only veteran of 
the group, for he became a member only four months after the Society 
was organized. The members of the committee, then, that brought in these 
momentous reports were Archibald Stuart, Thomas Hall, and William 
Short. This matter is discussed at length, because of the bearing the sub- 
stance of these reports has had on the character and subsequent develop- 
ment of Phi Beta Kappa. It is worthy of note that the work was so well 
done that it met with unanimous approval. 



30 The Form of Initiation 

Then the President shall say- 
Mr. It was in consequence of our good opinion 

of you, that we have admitted you thus far, and we hope you will 
render yourself still more acceptable by answering in the affirma- 
tive to the following questions. 

1st If upon hearing you dislike the principles of this Society 
and withdraw, do you promise upon the word of a Gentleman to 
keep them secret ? 

2nd Is it of your own free choice unbiassed by persuasion that 
you become a member of this Society? 

3rd Will you approve yourself a worthy member of it by being 
a Friend to Morality and Literature ? 

4th Will you regard every worthy member of this Society as a 
Brother ? 

5th Will you assist them when in distress with your Life and 
Fortune ? 

After which the Laws shall be read by the Clerk, and if the 
Person to be admitted approve them, the Oath shall be adminis- 
tered by the President ; then the Medal and sign of the Society 
shall be explained ; and afterwards the President shall thus ad- 
dress the newly initiated Member. 

Brother 

It is an uncommon pleasure which I feel in being able to address 
you by this tender appellation ; such have been the mutual pleas- 
ures ever distributed among the Members of the $ B K. 

This Society was founded by a few friends to social and im- 
proving intercourse. At first it was confined to a small number of 
very worthy Students ; they planted the scion, from which has 
grown this tree, that now buds forth before your eyes, with the 
blossoms of harmony and concord. It was ingrafted on the stock 
of friendship, in the soil of virtue, enriched by Literature. To 
cherish and keep it alive hath been the constant care of those 
members who have succeeded. 

To which end they have ever kept in view the design of its 
worthy founders, who adopted this friendly communion as a rec- 
reation to the philosophic mind, satiate with investigating the vari- 
ous springs of Human nature and human actions. 



The Form of Initiation Concluded 31 

Now then you may for a while disengage yourself from schol- 
astic Laws and communicate without reserve whatever reflections 
you have made upon various objects; remembering that every- 
thing transacted within this room is transacted Sub rosa, and de- 
tested is he that discloses it. 

Here too you are to indulge in matters of speculation, that free- 
dom of inquiry which ever dispels the clouds of falsehood by the 
radiant sunshine of truth. — Here you "are to look for a sincere 
Friend, and here you are to become the Brother of unalienable 
Brothers. 

After which the President turning to the members shall thus ad- 
dress them: — 
Gentlemen 

You all at this moment experience in yourselves the heart-felt 
satisfaction, which I do at our late valuable acquisition. — 

Friendship herself pleased with her success now smiles at this 
addition to our Fraternity. Let it be our joint care to extend the 
Friendship which has ever been exercised by this Society, to this 
new elected Member, that he may thereby become a veteran in 
her service. Let us consider that this is no longer the stranger 
whom we have hitherto seen; he is a Brother, a member of the 
$ B K ; in which character I am inexpressibly happy to introduce to 
you Mr. . 

After this, the President shall take him by the hand, with a con- 
gratulation, and then the Secretary w^ho shall introduce him to 
each of the Members separately ; all taking cane to use the mode 
of shaking hands peculiar to the $ B K." [End of Ritual. Min- 
utes of February 2yth continued]. 

The Laws revised by a committee appointed for that purpose 
were read and received universal approbation.* [Continued, p. 

J5]. 

The Laws 
"Whereas it is essentially necessary to the well being of every 
Fraternity, that it should be Governed by certain established and 



*The note respecting the Form of Initiation applies in general to 
the revised Code of Laws or Constitution, under which the original 
society concluded its early activity at William and Mary. This code was 
transmitted to Harvard and Yale, and is quoted from the records of the 
Alpha of Massachusetts. 



32 ^ The Revised Constitution 

salutary Laws : the following are adopted for the governing rules 
of the conduct of each Member of the <l> B K; and each and every 
Member of the said Society is hereby required to observe the 
same with the most scrupulous punctuality, in order that this in- 
stitution which does honour to the founders, may be handed down 
to the latest ages, firm and inviolate. 

Law 1st 

To the execution of the Laws, and the several duties of the 
Society, a President, Clerk, and Treasurer shall be chosen. 

Law 2nd 

The President shall be invested with the prerogative of con- 
vening the Members of this fraternity when he shall deem it 
expedient; of maintaining order when convened; and of giving 
a decision in case of a division of voices. 

Law 3rd 

The duty of the Clerk shall be to keep a list of the Members, 
and fair and legible Books in writing, containing the proceedings 
of the Society. 

Law 4th 

The duty of a Treasurer shall be to keep accurate accounts of 
the fund of the Society which shall always be laid before it the 
first meeting in the months of March, June, September and De- 
cember. 

Law 5th 
The youngest member residing in College shall be Sergeant 
whose office is to summon the members when a meeting shall be 
called. 

Law 6th 

In case of necessity or necessary absence of the President the 
chair shall be filled by election or succession. 

Law 7th 
In all cas^s of election the matter shall be determined by Ballot. 

Law 8th 
Five members shall perform at every session, one shall write a 
dissertation, two in opposite composition, and the other two shall 
dispute extemporaneously on the same subject. 



FACSIMILE OF THE PHI BETA KAPPA CHARTER 
For text of the charter see pages 47-51 




x:S. 



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The Revised Constitution 33 

Law 9th 

Three members shall be appointed as Judges of the composi- 
tions, who shall inform the ensuing meeting of their determina- 
tion; that such performances as are thought worthy of the hon- 
our, may be preserved. 

Law loth 

When either of the Judges declaim, a temporary successor as 
Judge shall be appointed. 

Law nth 
The non-attendance of any member in the evening he is appoint- 
ed to declaim, subjects him to the punishment of six shillings, and 
on any other evening to the penalty of three shillings, unless his 
excuse shall be deemed sufficient by the Society. 

Law 1 2th 
Every Member who desires to propose any thing to the Society, 
ehall produce it in writing and particularly address the President. 

Law 13th 

Every Member during a session shall behave with becoming 
decency; delivering his sentiments vicissively to prevent confus- 
ion. 

Law 14th 

No Gentleman shall be initiated into this Society under the age 
of sixteen, nor then but by an unanimous concurrence of all the 
members by Ballot ; neither shall anyone be expelled without the 
same. 

Law 15th 

Every member after being properly initiated shall pay to the 
Treasurer Six shillings, and shall be obliged to procure for himself 
a medal wholly corresponding with those of the Fraternity. 

Law 1 6th 

A majority of three members shall be the fewest for the execu- 
tion of business. 

Law 17th 

A regular meeting shall be held once a fortnight at 7 o'clock 
P. M., in Summer, and 6 in Winter. 



34 The Revised Constitution 

Law 1 8th 
The violation of any of the Laws enacted or to be enacted, 
except such as have the fine annexed to them, subjects the violator 
to the discretionary punishment of the Society. 

Law 19th 
At the first meeting in June annually two members shall be 
chosen to prepare Orations upon any suitable subject given by the 
Society to be delivered at the celebration of the anniversary. 

Law 20th 

If any Member of this Society be heard to express sentiments 
inimical to the same, he shall be informed against at the ensuing 
Meeting, when, after being heard he shall be subject to being cen- 
sured, fined, or even expelled, if the Fraternity deem it expedient. 

Law 2 1 St 

No member of this Society shall be punished upon any accusa- 
tion whatever, without being first heard with his accusant con- 
fronting him. 

Law 22nd* 

Every thing proposed at any meeting (Initiation and such busi- 
ness as cannot be cancelled, excepted) shall first be discussed in a 
Committee of the whole in form following. 

The President for the time being after taking his seat and hav- 
ing the order of last meeting, and the appointments of declaimants 
on the present, read by the Clerk, shall on motion made resign the 
chair to some Member not immediately interested in the debate, 
which member while Chairman shall have all the authority and 
privileges of the President vested in him. When all the business 
is finished, the committee shall rise and the proceedings of 
the same being read by the Clerk, the Society may then alter, 
amend or confirm them ; after which they shall be assigned by 
the President or in his absence, by the Vice-President and then be 
deemed valid. [End of the\ Laws. The minutes of February 
2'/th continued on page J5]. 



*This was not in the code as adopted February 29, 1779, but was added 
nearly a year later. See the minute of December 2, 1779. The adoption 
of this Law resulted in a marked change in the method of conducting the 
meetings 



The Minutes Resumed 35 

Messrs. Baker, Moore, and Roane, being recommended to this 
Society as worthy members, were ballotted for and received in 
due form. 

A Letter was received from our worthy Brother, Mr. John 
Stuart in which was inclosed twelve shillings which was to pur- 
chase a Testament for the Society, but as the Society had been 
presented with one from Mr. John Nivison, it was put into the 
Treasury. 

The business of the night being finished, an adjournment took 
place. 

At a Meeting of this Society on March 13th, 1779, according 
to appointment, Messrs. Stuart and Brown delivered their Com- 
positions and Messrs. Bowdoin and Eyre argued. 

Upon examination of the Treasurer's accounts there was found 
to be ii8, 8s. in the Treasury. 

Mr. Wm. Stith being recommended to this Society as a worthy 
Member, was ballotted for and initiated in due form. 

Messrs. Brent and Clements were appointed to produce com- 
positions, inquiring whether Agriculture or Merchandise was most 
advantageous to a State. 

Messrs. Baker and Ballindine were appointed to argue on the 
same subject. 

The business of the evening being finished, adjournment took 
place. 

At a meeting on Saturday, March 27th, 1779. The Judges hav- 
ing examined the compositions produced at the last meeting, Mr. 
Brown's was deemed by them worthy of being preserved, and was 
accordingly preserved. 

Mr. William Stuart being recommended as a worthy member of 
this Society was ballotted for and initiated in due form. 

Messrs. Brent and Clements, according to appointment, pro- 
duced their compositions. 

Mr. Balleridine being excused from arguing on account of his 
situation, and Mr. Baker, the other disputant, being absent, the 
subject was discussed by the Members. 

Messrs. Ballindine and Moore were appointed to produce com- 
positions inquiring whether Brutus was justifyable in having his 



36 



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PAGE TWENTY-FIVE OF THE ORIGINAL RECORDS 
^Messrs, Beckley and Savage elected and initiated 



Messrs. Beckley and Savage Initiated 37 

sons executed. Messrs. Roane and Stith were appointed to argue 
on the same subject. 

The business of the Evening being finished, an adjournment 
took place. 

At a Meeting on Saturday, the tenth of April, as our President 
was absent, a temporary one being ballotted for, Mr. Hite was ap- 
pointed. 

According to appointment, Messrs. Ballindine and Moore pro- 
duced their compositions, and M-essrs. Roane and Stith argued. 

Mr. John James Beckley being recommended as a worthy mem- 
ber of this Society, was ballotted for, and it was resolved that 
there shall be a meeting on Monday Evening for his initiation. 

Messrs. Baker and Stuart were appointed to bring Compositions 
enquiring into the cause and origin of Society. Messrs. Heath 
and Fitzhugh to argue on the same subject. 

The business of the evening being finished, an adjournment 
took place. 

At a meeting April 12th, agreeable to appointment, Mr. John 
James Beckley was initiated in due form. 

At a Meeting April the 19th, Mr. Thomas Savage being recom- 
mended as a worthy member of this Society, was ballotted for and 
Initiated in due form. Mr. Bowdoin being about to depart for 
Europe, requested the company of the Society at the Raleigh, 
where he gave them a very elegant Entertainment. After many 
toasts suitable to the Occasion, the Evening was spent by the 
Members in a manner which indicated the highest esteem for their 
departing Friend, mixed with sorrow for his intended Absence 
and Joy for his future prospects in Life. 

April .24th, 1779. 

According to appointment, Mr. Stuart produced. The other 
gentlemen being absent the subject was not discussed. 

Messrs. Heath and Hall making the Society acquainted with 
the reason of their absence at the last meeting, were excused. 

Messrs. Beckley and Savage were appointed to bring in Com- 
positions enquiring whether a wise state hath any interest nearer 
at Heart than the Education of the Youth. An adjournment. 

Pursuant to summons from the President for a meeting of the 



38 The Treasurer's Accounts 

$ B K,* eleven Members convened at College Wednesday Eve- 
ning, May 5th, 1779. In absence of the President, Mr. Hall is 
proposed pro Tern:, and on Ballot received a majority of votes. 

Whereupon he took the chair accordingly. 

J. J. Beckley is in like manner proposed and appointed Clerk. 

Mr. Hite being about to leave College, begs Leave to resign the 
Office of Treasurer, and desires that his Acct's may be examined. 

Ordered to be referred to a Committee. Mr. Brent and Mr. 
Stuart to retire and report immediately. 

Committee reported accounts fairly stated, and Cash in Hand 
£18.19.8 with a Balance due the Treasury £4.10. 

Ordered to transfer Cash in Hand to the next Treasurer, with 
the Accts. 

The Society proceeds to appoint a Treasurer. Mr. Stuart be- 
ing proposed on Ballot, received a majority of Votes. 

Mr. President, Mr. Nivison, and Mr. Nivisonf absent 
and ordered to be noted. 

Adjourned till meeting in Course. 

Saturday, May 4th, J 1779. 

Mr. President and Mr. Nivison offered reasons to excuse their 
non-attendance at last meeting, which were admitted as sufficient. 

Mr. John Page and Mr. Henry Blunt§ were severally recom- 
mended as worthy Members of this Society, and on a Ballot 
taken, Mr. Page was unanimously elected and initiated in due 
form. Mr. Blunt, on a Ballot taken for him, was rejected, three 
ballots being returned with the word con. 

Mr. Savage and Mr. Beckley delivered compositions pro and con 
on the question whether a wise State hath any Interest nearer at 
hand than the Education of Youth? 



*This is the first time in the records that the Greek initials are 
used as the name of the society. Note that it is "the $ B K," not the 
<I> B K Society. It would seem that in the discussions that led to the 
preparation of the ritual the thought of the members as to the name of the 
organization was crystallized. At any rate the minutes are consistent 
with the usage of the ritual and the Code of Laws. This is the first 
occasion when the number of members present at a meeting is recorded. 

fDr. Tyler suggests that Mr. Morison was intended. 

$This should be May 8th, as the 5th, as noted above, was Wednesday. 

§This is the first occasion when a member balloted for was re- 
jected. 



A ''Charter Party" Proposed 39 

Mr. Stuart and Mr. Heath argued on the same question. 

Ordered that the Treasurer be directed to furnish candles and 
such other conveniences for the accommodation of the meetings 
as may be necessary, placing the same to proper account, and 
taking Vouchers for the dis-bursements. 

It being suggested that it might tend to promote the designs of 
this Institution and redound to the honor and advantage thereof 
at the same time, that others more remote or distant will be at- 
tached thereto,''' Resolved, that leave be given to prepare the form 
or Ordinance of a Charter party, to be entrusted with such two or 
more brothers of the $ B K, as to a General meeting shall, on due 
application for the same, be thought to merit such a trust; with 
delegated power in the plan and principles therein laid down, to 
constitute, establish and initiate a fraternity correspondent to this, 
and that a Committee be appointed of Mr. President, Mr. Stuart 
and Mr. Beckley to prepare a draught of the same and report at 
next meeting. 

An adjournment took place. . . .f 

Saturday, June 5th, 1779. 

A meeting of the,<E> B K was convened by summons from the 
President. 

Present, five members. 

Mr. Stuart appointed President pro tempore. 

Mr. Beckley, Clerk. 



*It would be of interest to know who made the in-itial suggestion 
respecting fraternity expansion. The records are entirely silent re- 
specting his identity. Fortunately we have a letter written fifty years 
later by William Short, Jr., the president, embodying his impressions and 
giving large credit to Samuel Hardy. We quote a portion of the letter. 
It was written to Edward Everett in 1831. 

"I remember yet my surprise when he communicated to me his plan 
for extending branches of our society to the different States. It was the 
first symptom of anything coming from him indicative of his mind. He 
expatiated on the great advantages that would attend the binding together 
of the several States. 

"I happened at that time to be acquainted with a gentleman from the 
eastward who was private tutor in the family of one of my friends. And 
as I knew he then contemplated returning to his native State, I suggested 
to Mr. Hardy the propriety of bringing forward his plan before the 
Society so that the Charter might be ready to be sent by this gentleman. 
It was accordingly done. And if my memory serves me a charter of the 
same kind was sent at the same time to New Haven." 

fSome words follow that are too indistinct to be deciphered. 



40 The Charter Reported 

Mr. William Cabell is recommended as a worthy member of 
this Society, and on a Ballot taken he is unanimously elected and 
initiated in due form. 

Ordered that further time be given to the Committee appointed 
to prepare the draft of a Charter party and that they report to the 
next meeting. 

An apology was offered for Mr. Heath's non-attendance, which, 
being deemed sufficient, he is excused. 

Mr. Hartwell Cocke and Mr. Brown appointed to declaim, Mr. 
Stuart and Mr. Beckley to argue on Question : Whether an Agra- 
rian Law is consistent with the Principles of a wise Republic. 

An adjournment took place. 

A General Meeting of the $ B K. 

June 12, 1779, being in course. 

Mr. Brent is elected President pro tempore, and took the chair 
accordingly. 

Mr. Beckley, in like manner, as Clerk. 

Mr. Cocke and Brown offered declamations on question. 
Whether an agrarian law is consistent with the principles of a 
wise republic. Mr. Stuart and Mr. Beckley argued on same ques- 
tion. 

Committee appointed reported form of Charter party to lay till 
next meeting for consideration of the members. 

An adjournment took place. 

At a meeting June 27th 

The Clerk being absent, Mr. Brown was appointed pro Tem- 
pore. The committee formerly appointed, having been prevented 
by unavoidable accidents from compleating the Business relative 
to the Charter, prayed for an additional allowance of time. Upon 
a motion made it was agreed to. 

The Treasurer being about to leave College for some time, de- 
sires that his accounts might be examined by a committee and a 
successor to him appointed. 

Ordered to be referred to a committee, Mr. Brent and Mr. 
Brown to retire and report immediately. 

Committee reported that the accounts were fairly stated, and 
cash in hand £21, 19. 8., with a ballance due the Treasury of 



The Charter Adopted, July 1779 41 

£6. o. o. Ordered to transfer the cash in hand to next Treasurer 
with the Ballance due. 

Proceeded to appoint a Treasurer. Mr. Wm. Cabell being 
recommended was accordingly appointed. 

Resolved, that as the Price of Initiation hitherto paid is inade- 
quate to the purpose it be augmented to Ten Dollars.* 

Messrs. Roane and Stuart were appointed to bring in Composi- 
tions enquiring whether anything is more dangerous to Civile 
Liberty in a free State than a standing army in time of Peace. 

Messrs. Page and Savage to argue on the same subject. 

The Business of the evening being finished an adjournment took 
place. 

At a meeting called by the President July 5th, 1779. 

Mr. Beckley reported form of Charter partyf read and referred 
to a Committee of the Whole, J Mr. Brown in the Chair, reported 
a debate by paragraphs and agreed to. 

Resolved, that the Charter party do pass. 

Mr. Short presented additional laws, read and agreed to.§ Mr. 
Beckley offered excuse for non-attendance at last meeting, admit- 
ted as sufficient. Mr. Fitzhugh in like manner excused for his 
first non-attendance and fined for twice not attending. 

Adjourned. 

At a meeting held in Course, July loth, 1779. 

The Clerk being absent, Mr. H. Cocke was appointed pro 
tempore. 

Mr. Stuart and Mr. Roane brought in their compositions as by 
the last meeting appointed, and likewise Mr. Savage and Mr. 
Page argued on the same. 

The Persons appointed to examine and return whether the 



*Notice that though the treasurer has been reporting balances in 
English currency the initiaiton fee is stated in dollars. It may also be 
worthy of note that William Cabell had been a member just three weeks 
w°hen he was chosen treasurer. 

fWhy this document was called a "Charter party" has not been made 
clear. 

JThis is the first occasion where the familiar parliamentary method 
of the "Committee of the Whole" was used in Phi Beta Kappa. Five 
months later it was made a regular method of procedure. See Law 22. 

§We have no means of knowing what was provided by these laws. 
They may possibly be those numbered 19, 20, and 21 of the code printed 
above, page 34. 



42 . , Respecting the Seal 

Pieces delivered be worthy or no to be kept, two of which have 
now left College, there being two appointed, one of which is pro 
tempore, the other is appointed constantly to act, vizt. Mr, Brown 
to act constantly, and Mr. Beckley pro tempore. 

Resolved, that the Clerk provide an Ink stand and return the 
price of the same to the Treasurer, which may be reported the 
next meeting. 

The persons appointed to form a seal* for this Hon; Society 
are Mr. Short, Mr. Brown and Mr. Bickley. 

Ordered that Mr. Hardy have this Charterf by the unanimous 
voice of the members now met. The meeting to be called The 

B^ra. 

Mr. Cabell and Mr. Fitzhugh appointed to bring in composi- 
tions the next meeting, and Mr. Short and Mr. Cocke to argue 
whether Parents have a right to prevent the marriage of Chil- 
dren after entering into contract. The business being finished, an 
adjournment took place. 

At a meeting called by the President July nth, 1779. 

The form of Charter Party being again referred to the con- 
sideration of a committee, several alterations were suggested as 
necessary in the same by Mr. Short. The amendments proposed 
were read in their proper places, and were agreed to. 

Mr. William StewardJ then petitioned the Society that a form 



*This seal was evidently secured in order to confirm the charters 
sent to Harvard and Yale and was so used, by impressing the design 
upon melted wax. Unfortunately the wax has become broken on the 
Harvard charter, hence the device cannot be made out. What we know 
of it is contained in letters of William H. H. Stuart, son of Archibald 
Stuart. One of them written to the editor in 1890 reads, respecting the 
seal, in part as follows : "It was of brass. The face of the seal was 
about the size 'of a quarter of a dollar, and the Greek letters Phi Beta 
Kappa were engraved on it. On the obverse side v/as a socket for a 
wooden handle, which had been removed. I have been sorry to learn that 
the seal has since been lost or mislaid. It was probably in the College 
building, and was destroyed when that building was burned during the 
late Civil War." The entire letter may be seen in The Key, vol. ii, pp. 
464-67. 

fit was appropriate that Mr. Hardy, the prime mover in the matter 
of expansion, should have the first charter. But the rule providing that 
charters should be given to "two or more" members was broken in the 
^ery first instance, as in every other, 

|This should be Stuart. Note the certificate of character here given 
Mr. Stuart, especially as he had been a member less than four months. 
The committee appointed to copy the charter and laws were industrious, 
for the documents were ready the following evening. 



Mr. Parmele Elected and Initiated 43 

of the Charter party should be granted him. The Society, consid- 
ering his zealous attachment to her interests and the particular at- 
tention he having paid to her laws, unanimously resolved that the 
same be granted him and that the meeting be called Fa/x/xa. 

Resolved, that a copy of the form of Charty party and also of 
the laws be drawn off and delivered to Mr. W. Stuart. Resolved, 
also, that Mr. Savage and Mr. Cabell be appointed to do the same. 

Adjourned till to-morrow night. 

July 1 2th : The $ B K met agreeable to adjournment. Pursuant 
to a former resolution the form of Charter party was delivered 
Mr. Stuart, together with the Code of laws drawn off acording to 
direction. 

Adjourned till day in course. 

At a meeting held in course July 24th, 1779. 

The Clerk being absent, Mr. Cabell was appointed pro tempore. 

Mr. Fitzhugh and Mr. Cabell brought in their compositions 
agreeable to appointment and Mr. Short and Mr. Cocke argued 
on the same. 

Upon a motion made, ordered that the fines instead of one 
dollar and five, as they now stand, be raised to ten dollars and 
twenty.* 

Messrs. Brown and Brent appointed to bring in compositions. 
Messrs. Roane and Beckley to argue the subject, "Whether the 
Institution of the Ostracism was Legal." 

An adjournment. 

At a meeting called by the President July 31st, 1779. 

The Clerk being absent, Mr. Brent was appointed pro tempore. 
Mr. Elijah Parmale is recommended as a worthy Member of this 
Society, and on a Ballot taken he is unanimously elected and 
initiated in due form. 

An adjournment took place. 

At a Meeting of the ^ B K, August 7th, 1779. 

The Clerk being absent, Mr. W. Cabell was appointed to act in 
his stead. 

The Gentlemen appointed to compose, brought in their com- 



*In the large increase of fines and dues will be seen a response to 
the depreciation in the currency that marked the closing years of the 
Revolutionary War. 



44 Minutes, August to October, 1779 

positions and those that were to support them offered their dec- 
lamations. 

Resolved that Mr. Brent and Mr. H. Cocke be appointed to 
procure a box of such dimensions as may appear most proper to 
deposit the papers in belonging to this Society ; also they procure 
an inkstand for the use of the same. 

Mr. Beckley and Mr. Brent to write, Mr. Savage and Mr. Page 
to argue. The subject of disputation to be whether Commonwealths 
or Monarchies are most subject to Seditions and Commotions. 

Adjourned. 

At: a Meeting of the ^ B K, August 14, 1779, John Beckley 
offered excuse for non-attendance at the two last meetings, which 
were admitted as sufficient. 

Mr. Hartwell Cocke in like manner. 

Mr. Brent was called on but offered no reasonable excuse, and 
was thereupon fined according to law. 

On the rriotion of Mr. Cabell,* the form of a Charter party is 
granted him by duplicate to be signed according to Law. The 
meeting hereby established to be called the AeAra. 

Adjourned. 

At a meeting called October 25th, 1779. 

The President not present, Mr. John Nivison was appointed pro 
tempore and likewise Mr. Hartwell Cocke was appointed Clerk 
pro tempore. 

Mr. Richard Cocke was balloted for, there being a dissenting 
voice, he was not initiated. f The business being finished an ad- 
journment took place. 

At a meeting of the $ B K, October 29th, 1779. 

The president being absent, one was balloted for a majority ap- 
pearing in favour of Mr. Brown, he resumed the chair. 

The Clerk being likewise absent one was balloted for and a 
majority was for Mr. Nivison. 

In consequence of one of our Laws, we proceeded to the choice 



*Mr. Cabell had been ai member only two weeks and two days when 
this charter was placed in his keeping. 

fit will be seen that the rule requiring absolute unanimity in elec- 
tions to membership was fully enforced. This is the second occasion when 
a candidate was rejected. 



A Vice-President Chosen 45 

of two gentlemen to declaim on the Anniversary. Mr. Short and 
Mr. Brown were elected for that purpose. 

Mr. Fitzhugh and Mr. Cocke to write, and Messrs. Stuart and 
Brent to argue. 

The business of the evening being finished, an adjournment 
took place. 

Meeting convened the 13th November, 1779. 

Ordered that the Gentlemen appointed to declaim and argue at 
this meeting be continued therefor at the ensuing meeting. 

A subject is directed on the following question: Whether a 
General Assessment for the support of Religious Establishments 
is or is not repugnant to the principles of a Republican Govern- 
ment. 

Mr. Brown discharged from appointment at last meeting to de- 
claim on the Anniversary, and a Ballot taken for another person 
in his stead — Mr. Stuart elected. 

Ordered that summonses issue to convene the absent members 
on the Anniversary. 

Various Causes suggesting to this Society the Necessity of ap- 
pointing a vice-president of this Body to reside in College, and the 
insufficiency of former laws having occasioned delays in Business 
and other inconveniences therefrom ; It is hereby declared a future 
law of this Society, that a standing vice-president be appointed 
who shall have the same powers, in the absence of the efficient 
president that is given by Law, and it is ordered that this be 
added to the standing Laws of the Society.* So much of any 
former law as is repugnant to this is hereby repealed. 

Mr. George Brent was recommended as a gentleman worthy 
the honor of admission as a member of this Society, and on a 
Ballot taken he was unanimously admitted and initiated in due 
form. 

The Society proceeded to Ballot for a Vice-president, and on 
examining the Ballots, Mr. Stuart is elected. 

Ordered : Mr. Fitzhugh withdrawing himself be noted. 

An adjournment took place. 



*This addition to the laws was not incorporated in the code already 
printed. 



46 The Third Anniversary 

At a meeting convened November 27th, 1779. The Clerk being 
absent Mr. Cabell was appointed to act pro tempore. The Gentle- 
men appointed to the usual exercises performed agreeable to 
custom. 

Ordered that Saturday next be celebrated as the anniversary 
of this Society. 

Ordered also that Messrs. Beckley and Ballindine be appointed 
to make a proper provision for the evening of the 4th December, 
for the entertainments of this Society. Ordered that the fine of 
five shillings be inflicted on Mr. Fitzhugh for withdrawing himself 
on the evening of the 13th November. 

Mr. Beckley excused from performing at the next meeting from 
the multiplicity of business which pressed him. Messrs. Ballindine 
and Roane appointed to declaim and Messrs. Savage and Page to 
argue. The theme of Disputation whether Theatrical Exhibitions 
are advantageous to States or the Contrary. 

The business of the evening being over an adjournment took 
place. 

At a meeting called by the Vice-President December 2d, 1779. 

Mr. Cabell agreeable to Law, laid his accounts as Treasurer 
before the meeting, and desired that they might be examined. 

Ordered to be referred to a Committee. Mr. Brown and Mr. 
Brent to retire and report immediately. 

Committee reported accounts fairly stated and cash in hand 
£23. 9. 6. and a balance due to Treasury £6. 17. 

Mr. Cabell about to leave College for some time begged that a 
Treasurer might be appointed to act pro tempore. 

Ordered, that Mr. Brown be appointed to do the same. Intro- 
duced a Law which is ordered to be added to the Standing laws 
of the Society, and may be seen under XXIL* 

Adjourned till Saturday evening. 

Saturday, the 4th of Decem.ber, 1779. 

A meeting of the $ B K was convened at six o'clock p. m., 
being the Eve of the Anniversary to Commemorate that day, at 
Mr. Davenports in Williamsburg, present, Mr. President and 
twelve other members. 



♦This law was incorporated in the code, and gave a new characteristic 
to the meetings during the following year. 



The Harvard Charter Voted .47 

Mr. President left the chair and Mr. Fitzhugh was called to the 
chair for the Evening. 

Mr. President and Mr. Stuart agreeable to appointment of a 
former meeting exhibited their Declamations on given subjects. 

Petition of Mr. Parmelie for a Charter Party to Institute a 
Branch of this Society at Cambridge* in Massachusetts, granted : 
To be called Etto-iAov. 

Mr. Brown, Mr. Bickley, Mr. Cabell appointed to examine ex- 
hibitions and report to next meeting. 

Adjourned till to-morrow evening. W. Short Jr. President. 

[The minutes continued on page Si\- 

''Form of a Charter Partyf 

The Members of the $ B K, of the meeting AAc^a of William and 
Mary College, Virginia, to their well and truly beloved Brother 
Elisha Parmeli. 

Greeting 

Whereas it is repugnant to the liberal principles of Societies 
that they should be confined to any particular place, men or De- 



*Here for the first time we have a statement respecting the location 
of the Branch for which a charter was asked. While the date is De- 
cember 4, it was in reality the anniversary meeting, the 5th being Sun- 
day, not a suitable time for "jollity and mirth." It seems evident that the 
importance of this matter of preparing a charter for Harvard was deemed 
so great that it overshadowed the formal anniversary exercises, and 
the discussions were so prolonged that a special meeting was called the 
following evening to conclude the matter, as the minute of the following 
session will show. At that meeting, December 5, 1779, the form of charter 
was revised by the introduction of "some innovations." Just what they 
were we are not told, but it is not difficult to gather their import when the 
Harvard Charter is studied. For instead of designating the new branch 
the ETTcrtAov as stated in the resolution it is designated the Alpha of 
Massachusetts Bay, and given coordinate rank with the original society 
in the matter of granting charters for other branches within its own 
state. These changes were to give the Phi Beta Kappa "an extensive 
footing" in that commonwealth. 

As we read the Charter as here printed we should bear in mind that 
the official title of the state was then "Massachusetts Bay."" The con- 
stitution as revised the following year omitted the word "Bay" from the 
title. Hence when organized the year following the branch became the 
Alpha of Massachusetts. 

fThe text of the charter is here printed from the original document, 
now preserved in the Harvard College Library. The title of the Branch 
is, however, inserted in two places where it had been omitted. It differs 
only in trifling details of spelling and capitalization from the copy tran- 
scribed in the Harvard Chapter records. Respecting the document itself 
an interesting bit of history should be recorded. 



48 The Charter Lost and Restored 

scription of men, and as the same should be extended to the wise 
and virtuous of every degree and of whatever Country; — 

We the Members and Brothers of the ^ B K, an Institution 
founded on Hterary principles, being willing and desirous to pro- 
pagate the same, have at the Instance and petition of our good 
Brother Elisha Parmeli of the University of Cambridge in the 
State of Massachusetts Bay, and from the confidence we repose in 



In some way, not now known, it became separated from the chapter 
records and had virtually been forgotten, when Hon. John C. Ropes, 
Harvard '57, of Boston, the distinguished historian of the Civil War, 
discovered it in a sale of memorabilia and purchased it. Though a 
member of the Harvard Chapter Mr. Ropes chose to return it to William 
and Mary and sent it to Col. William Lamb of Norfolk, Va., then presi- 
dent of the Alpha of Virginia, which he had been largely instrumental 
in reorganizing two years before. Colonel Lamb exhibited the charter 
at a meeting of the Society held at Williamsburg, February 18, 1896, thus 
creating quite a sensation. The Alpha of Virginia generously voted to 
restore it to the Alpha of Massachusetts and sent Colonel Lamb the 
following year to make the presentation. He executed this trust at the 
Anniversary meeting, July i, 1897, personally delivering it to the officers 
of the chapter before the company assembled in Sanders Theatre. 

The charter is carefully written on one large sheet of paper, 11^ by 
18^ inches, there being fifty-two lines of writing, with ten additional 
lines on which the signatures of nineteen members appear. 

In the lower right hand corner a bow of pink and blue ribbon appears, 
the pieces being inserted through two slits in the paper having been tied, 
very probably, as Colonel Lamb suggests, by some "fair Virginia hand." 
The two ends of the blue ribbon were joined by wax on which the seal 
of Phi Beta Kappa had been impressed ; but this has become broken, only 
portions adhering, so that the design of the seal cannot be distinguished^ 

Respecting the color of one of the ribbons there has been a difference of 
opinion. Colonel Lamb believed it to be green, and even now, because of 
its faded condition, the color cannot be asserted with absolute positiveness. 
The question, however, would seem to be settled by the action of the 
Alpha of Massachusetts, for on June 19, 1782, within ten months of its 
organization, it voted "that all the members at the celebration of the 
Anniversary, have their medals suspended with pink and sky blue rib- 
band." This action was taken by men who were familiar with the char- 
ter, and knew the colors it bore. The Harvard Chapter has used these 
colors consistently from that early date. So far as we are aware Phi Beta 
Kappa has never officially adopted any colors, though the propriety of 
so doing was suggested at a recent council. One proposal met with some 
favor, i. e., that white, the color of the College of William and Mary, 
be added to the pink and blue of the original Society. So far as now 
known the Alpha of Connecticut has not adopted any definite colors. 

The Harvard Chapter has had made a full sized facsimile of the charter, 
and presents a copy duly signed by the chapter officers to each new mem- 
ber. A reduced facsimile, about six by ten inches was printed in The 
Phi Beta Kappa Key, vol. i, no. 4, pp. 24-25, but the plate from which 
it was printed was destroyed by a fire in the printing office in which 
it was stored. The facsimile in this number is slightly larger than 
the one destroyed. 



Text of the Charter 49 

the Integrity, Discretion, and good Conduct of our said Brother, 
unanimously agreed and resolved to give and delegate, and we do 
therefore, by these our present letters of Charter-Party, give and 
delegate by unanimous consent to you the said EHsha Parmeli, the 
following Rights, Privileges, Authority and Power that is to say 

jstiy Xhat at the University of Cambridge you establish a 
Fraternity of the $ B K, to consist of not less than three persons of 
Honor, Probity, and good Demeanor, which shall be denominated 
the AA(/)a of Massachusetts Bay. And as soon as such number of 
three shall be chosen, you shall proceed to hold a Meeting, to be 
called the Foundation Meeting and appoint your Officers accord- 
ing to Law. 

2ndiy Xhat the form of Inititaion and Oath of Secrecy, 
shall be, as well in the first, as in every other instance, those 
prescribed by Law and none other. 

^diy Xhat the Governing Rule of your conduct and that of 
the Society be to further and promote the fundamental principles 
and maxims of the $ B K, to the best of your knowledge; and 
above all you are to be careful to promote, friendship and union 
among one another, as well as to bring it forth in a Communion 
with us here ; so far as it may be practicable and convenient. 

^thiy Xhat the Code of Laws herewith transmitted, being 
the Laws of the $ B K, A\(f>a Society, or such of them as the So- 
ciety shall approve, be considered as conclusive and binding. And 
except in cases where local convenience, alone may make it neces- 
sary, are not to be altered or liable to Innovation. 

^thiy Xhat everything suggested by you as essential to pro- 
mote the generous design of our Institution or necessary to be 
enacted into a Law, and all correspondencies shall be through the 
President of each Society by means of the Table herewith trans- 
mitted. Which Table we charge you to preserve with the utmost 
care, observing to be thoroughly acquainted with the use of the 
same lest misunderstandings should arise in our Correspondence. 

5thiy Xhat you by this Charter be invested with the privileges 
of the Meeting AA</)a of Virginia in granting Charters for the 
establishment of other Meetings any where within your State of 
Massachusetts Bay which meetings are to stand in the same rela- 



50 The Charter, Continued 

tion to you that the Junior Branches of this Society stand in to 
the meeting A\<j3a here. 

-rthiy Xhat the Arcana of this Society be held inviolate. 

gthiy Xhat the Members of the Alpha of Massachusetts Bay 
each of them be provided with a medal of the same form and kind 
with that herewith transmitted you, without any alteration what- 
ever and that the token of Salutation be the same with that used 
here, observing to make it known as a general means of Intro- 
duction to the Members of the AA(/)a, or any of the Junior 
Branches. 

Qthiy Xhat once in every year for the proper communica- 
tion between the Societies, to wit, on your Foundation day, you 
take a List of your Members and transmit the same as soon as 
possible to our President, noting your Officers, and such new 
Members as have been initiated since the last return with the name 
of their County or Place of abode. 

jQthiy xhat in everything conducive to the great ends of our 
Institution you correspond freely and without reserve, stating 
fully and specially all such matters and things as you may judge 
worthy of our regard and attention. 

jjthiy* That a power be retained by this Society, to make 
such farther and additional Laws for the Government and better 
regulation of the Alpha of Massachusetts as we may judge most 
conducive to promote the general welfare of the whole ; and that 
in cases considered as Constitutional, the same be declared to be 
within our Power either for alteration or amendment. 

j2thiy Xhat we do hereby ratify and Confirm this Charter 
and all the Rights, Privileges, Authority and Power incident to 
the same, unto you the said Elisha Parmeli the Members of the 
Alpha of Massachusetts and their Successors forever, confidently 
relying on the prudence and discretion of you our Brother ; to se- 
cure the same with our Reputations and fortunes. 

Witness our hands and the Seal of the Society this the fourth 

day of December, 1779. 

*The eleventh Article to be void as far as it regards the Superiority 
of this Society over that of Cambridge. 



The Yale Charter Voted 51 

William Short, Jr., President Thomas Hall 
Archibald Stuart, V. Pres. Samuel Hardy 

William Cabell, Treasurer John Brown 
John James Beckley, Sec'ry Daniel C. Brent 
Theodorick Fitzhugh Thomas Wm. Ballendine 

John Morison Spencer Roane 

John Allen William Stith 

John Nivison William Stuart 

Hartwell Cocke Thomas Littleton Savage 

John Page [Seal.] 

[The mifiM'tes of proceedings continued]. 

At a meeting convened on the evening of the 5th December, 
1779. 

Mr. President leaving the chair called Mr. Brown to the same. 
Mr. President suggesting the necessity of making some innova- 
tions in the form of Charter Party, to introduce it properly !a.nd 
give it an extensive footing, in the State of Massachusetts Bay, 
proposes some amendments to the same which being read in their 
proper places were accorded to. 

Resolved, that so much of Mr. Parmelie's petition as relates to 
the establishment of a Phi: Society to be conducted in a less 
mysterious manner than the ^ B K be not agreed to as the design 
appears to be incompatible with the principles of this meeting. 

Ordered, however, that Mr. Parmelie be thanked for the proof 
which he has given of his Zeal by openly communicating his 
Sentiments to this Society. 

Mr. President and Mr. Cocke appointed to do the same. Ad- 
journment took place. W. Short Jr. President. 

At a meeting called by the President December 9, '79. 

Mr. President leaving the chair, called Mr. Stuart to the same. 
The Clerk being absent Mr. Brent is appointed pro tempore. 

Whereas this Society is desirous that the <l> B K should be ex- 
tended to each of the United States. 

Resolved, that a second Charter be granted to our Brother, Mr. 
Elisha Parmele for establishing a meeting of the same in the 
College of New Haven in Connecticut, to be of the same Rank, 



52 The Third Year 

to have the same Power, and to enjoy the same Privileges with 
that which he is empowered to fix in the University of Cambridge. 
Tp be called the Z^t«.* 
An adjournment took place. W. Short President. 

At a meeting in course Saturday the nth December, 1779. 

Agreeable to usage a Committee was formed, Mr. Brent as 
chairman. Messrs. Ballindine and Roane delivered Declamations 
on the subject given at the late meeting, the same was argued and 
after some discussion the subject was postponed. 

Mr. Cocke excused for first non-attendance. 

Same for second non-attendance and not writing excused. 

Same for third non-attendance at third meeting fined. Mr. 
Beckley fined for once non-attendance. Mr. Fitzhugh's non-at- 
tendance noted. t W. Short Jr. President. 

The inclemency of the winter season and recess of the students 
and other members of the ^ B K having interrupted the regular 
meetings of this Society, a few of the members remaining in 
Williamsburg convened on Saturday the 4th March when a sub- 
ject for Declamation on the same day se'ennight being agreed 
on a meeting was called and held on Saturday the nth March, 
being the day of meeting in course (as well for this as other 
business). Present, Mr. President and six other members. 

Mr. Nivison and Mr. Short delivered declamations on the 



*The designation of this branch or meeting the Zwra was evidently 
a clerical error, "for the charter when issued was consistent with the 
one just granted and designated the new meeting the Alpha of Connecti- 
cut. Of this we are sure even though the charter itself is not now in 
existence. Note that it was just seven months after the idea of expansion 
was first mentioned, May 8, 1779, that the plan was completed whereby 
the Phi Beta Kappa "should be extended to each of the United States." 

fThus was brought to a close the most important year of Phi Beta 
Kappa's early history. In it the laws were thoroughly revised, a 
ritual perfected, a policy of expansion worked through, and a charter 
for the establishment of a branch at Harvard, the oldest and most prom- 
inent institution of learning in the colonies, definitely voted. Before the 
calendar year closed the charter for Yale had also been voted, and the 
documents prepared, signed, sealed, and placed in the hands of Elisha 
Parmele, the only member who was not of Virginia. 

During this year thirteen members were received. Thomas Clements in 
January ; Thomas W. Ballendine, Richard Booker, John Moore, and 
Spencer Roane in February; William Stith and William Stuart in March; 
John J. Beckley and Thomas Savage in May; William Cabell in June; 
Elisha Parmele in July; and George Brent in November. The total mem- 
bership at the conclusion of the year was thirty-seven. 



A Branch at Richmond Voted 53 

question "Is a Public or Private Education More Advantageous." 

Mr. Gocke and Mr. Stuart argued on the same question, and 
after discussion the same being fully investigated was closed. 

Ordered that a Charter party be granted to Jno. Beckley by 
the unanimous vote of this meeting to be denominated the Hra, 
and established at Richmond.* 

Mr. Brown and Mr. Short appointed to declaim. Mr. Nevison 
and Mr. Cocke to argue at next meeting. Question : **Had Wil- 
liam the Norman a Right to Invade England." 

An adjournment took place. W. Short, President. 

At a meeting of this Society Thursday the thirteenth of April, 
1780. Present the President and seven members. Mr. Hartwell 
Cocke being absent the litterary business was postponed. 

Messrs. Short and Joseph Cabell being proposed as worthy 
members of this Society were ballotted and received. 

Ordered that a copy of the Charter be drawn off immediately 
and sent to Mr. Beckley, together with a letter of thanks. 

The business 'of the evening being finished an adjournment 
took place. 

At a meeting of this Society April 22nd, 1780. 

Present all members except Mr. Cocke and Mr. Ballindine. 

Mr. Brown and Mr. Short, according to a former order, de- 
livered their declamations on the Question had Wm. the Nor- 
man a right to the Crown of Great Britain. Mr. Cocke being 
absent, Mr. Nevison delivered his Sentiments. 

According to order of last meeting a charter party, together 
with a letter of Thanks was sent to Mr. Beckley. 

That the business of this Society may be carried more reg- 
ularly than of late, it is resolved that in future every Member 
"who is fined by this Society for Non-attendance and neglects 
offering the money to the Treasurer immediately, shall be obliged 
to pay an interest of 25 per cent, monthly upon every such fine 
so long as he is in arrears. 



*By this time the capital of the Commonwealth had been removed 
to Richmond and the doom of Williamsburg as a political center was 
sealed. Mr. Beckley was clerk of the House of Delegates, and evidently 
had in mind a meeting among his associates there. We have no knowl- 
edge that any of these proposed junior branches in Virginia were ever 
organized. At any rate none of them lived long enough to become known. 



54 



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PAGE FORTY-TWO OF THE ORIGINAL RECORDS 
■ Captain John Marshall, afterwards Chief Justice of the 
United States, initiated. A charter voted 



Three Members Initiated 55 

Mr. John Stuart and Mr. Theodorick Fitzhugh appointed to de- 
'claim, Mr. Archibald Stuart and Mr. Thomas Ballindine to argue. 
The Question, Whether the Execution of Charles the first was 
justifyable? 

An adjournment W. Short, President. 

At a meeting of the Society the 18 of May, 1780. 

Capt. John Marshall* being recommended as a gentleman who 
would make a worthy member of this Society was ballotted for 
and received. 

Messrs. Thomas Lee and Landon Cabell being also recommend- 
ed as worthy a seat in this Society, w^ere ballotted for and re- 
ceived. 

Mr. George Lee Turbervillef requesting a Charter to establish 
a branch of this Society in Westmoreland, it was unanimously 
agreed upon that his request be granted, and that the branch be 
denominated the ©. 

The business of the evening being finished an adjournment took 
place. 

At a meeting in course Saturday, May 21st, 1780. 

Mr. President leaving the chair, called Mr. Brown to the Same. 
Mr. John Stuart according to appointment delivered his Senti- 
ments on the execution of Charles the ist. Mr. Fitzhugh not being 
able to procure an author who has treated of this Subject said 
nothing on the occasion. Mr. Ballindine being absent, Mr. Archi- 
bald Stuart and gentlemen not interested on the occasion argued 
the same. 

Mr. Wm. Cabell and Mr. Peyton Short appointed to declaim 
the Question whether any form of Government is more favourable 
to public virtue than a Commonwealth ? 

Mr. Joseph Cabell and Mr. Marshall to argue the same. 

An adjournment. W. Short, President. 



*At this time John Marshall was nearly twenty-five years of age, being 
one of the number "not collegians" to whom the door of membership 
was opened by the resolution of December 10, 1778. 

It is very probable that Bushrod Washington, a nephew of General 
George Washington, was admitted to membership at the same time with 
John Marshall for his name follows in the list of members, and precedes 
those of Thomas Lee and Landon Cabell who were admitted on that date. 

fNo record of Mr. Turberville's initiation appears in the records, nor 
is his name on the list of members. The charter granted him was the last 
on the list of proposed Virginia branches. 



56 Facsimile of a Page of the Records 









,. <»^'^ 

















PAGE FORTY-FIVE OF THE ORIGINAL RECORDS 
Captain William Pierce initiated 



Minutes of June, 1780 57 

At a meeting in course Saturday, June the 3rd, 1780. 

Mr. President leaving the Chair called Mr. Fitzhugh to the 
same. Mr. Wm. Cabell, according to order, delivered his decla- 
mation on the Question given out. Mr. Peyton Short, being 
unprepared, was silent on the occasion. 

Mr. Marshall and gentlemen not immediately interested argued 
the Question. Capt. Wm. Pierce being recommended as a worthy 
member of this Society, was ballotted for and received accord- 
ingly. 

The Treasurer agreeable to one of the fundamental Laws of 
this Society, laid his accounts before the same for an examination. 

Ordered that Messuirs John and Archibald* do examine 
the Treasurer's accounts by the meeting, when they shall make 
a report of the same. 

Mr. Ballindine's excuse for his non-attendance at the last meet- 
ing being deemed sufficient, he was accordingly excused. 

Mr. Peyton Short being called on to give his reasons for not 
delivering a declamation according to appointment gave such as 
were thought insufficient. 

Ordered that Mr. Washington and Mr. Peyton Short bring in 
declamations at the ensuing meeting, the Question whether the 
rape of the Sabine women was just. Mr. Lee and Mr. Landon 
Cabell to argue the same. 

At a meeting on Course Saturday, June the 17th, 1780. 

The President being absent the Vice-President filled the chair. 

Mr. Richard Bland Lee being recommended as a Gentleman 
worthy a seat in this Society was ballotted for and received. 

The Vice president leaving the chair called Mr. Wm. Cabell to 
the same. 

Mr. P. Short being absent, Mr. Washington alone delivered a 
declamation on the subject given out. Mr. Lee, Mr. Lan Cabell 
and Gentlemen not immediately interested, discussed the same. 
Mr. Richard Lee and Mr. John Stuart appointed to bring in 
declamations, and Mr. Wm. Short and Mr. Theodorick Fitzhugh 
to argue. 

At a meeting in course, July the ist, 1780. 



*There is an evident omission here, as no surnames are given. It may 
be that Stuart is intended. 



58 The Treasurer's Accounts 

Mr. Wm. Madison and Mr. John Swan being recommended as 
Gentlemen worthy of a seat in this Society, were ballotted for 
and received. 

The Vice President, leaving the chair, called Mr. Brown to the 
same. 

Mr. Richard B. Lee and Mr. John Stuart, according to appoint- 
ment, brought in declamations, the question, Whether Religion is 
necessary in Government. Mr. Short and Fitzhugh being absent, 
it was not argued. 

Mr. Nivison and Mr. Spencer Roane appointed to declaim. Mr. 
Brent to argue. 

An adjournment. 

At a meeting of the Society, July 29th, 1780. 

Mr. President, leaving the chair, called Mr. Wm. Cabell to the 
same. 

According to appointment, Messuirs Nivison and Roane de- 
livered their declamations, the Question, Whether in a civil War 
any person is justifiable in remaining Neuter. 

Mr. Brown and Mr. Brent being unprepared, were silent, 
ordered that Mr. John Stuart who was appointed one of the Com- 
mittee to examine the Treasurer's accounts, is now absent, that 
Mr. Richard Lee do supply his place, and that the Committee shall, 
at the ensuing meeting, make their report. 

Mr. Archibald Stuart and Mr. John Brown to declaim. 

Mr. Daniel Carol Brent and Mr. Thomas Ballindine to argue. 

At a meeting in course, August the 12th, 1780. Conformable to 
Custom the Committee was framed. Mr. Roane, Chairman. Mr. 
Brown and Mr. Archibald Stuart, agreeable to order, delivered 
their Declamations. The Question, Whether Duelling ought to 
have toleration in this or any other free State. Mr. Brent and 
Mr. Ballendine argued the same. 

The Committee to whom the Treasurer's accounts were refer- 
red, have examined the same and reported that there are £27. 4. 8. 
in the Treasury £24. 17. o. in arrears. 

Mr. Wm. Cabell and Mr. Joseph Cabell appointed to bring in 
declamations at the ensuing meeting. Mr. Bushrod Washington 
and Mr. Thomas Lee to argue. 

An adjournment. 



Meetings of August and September, 1780 59 

At a meeting in course, August 27th, 1780. Both the President 
and Vice President being indisposed, Mr. Brent was appointed. 
Agreeable to usage, a Committee was formed, Mr. Roane, Chair- 
man. Mr. Wm. Cabell, according to appointment, delivered his 
declamation, the Question, Whether all our affection and principles 
are not in some measure deducible from self Love, declaring the 
Negative, Mr. Joseph Cabell being absent, nothing was offered 
in the affirmative. Mr. Washington reasoned extempory upon the 
same, Mr. Thomas Lee, his antagonist, being also absent. 

Ordered that Mr. Landon Cabell and Mr. Wm. Pierce, bring 
in Declamations at the ensuing Meeting. Mr. Richard B. Lee and 
Mr. Wm. Madison to argue. 

An adjournment. 

At a meeting in course, September the 12th, 1780. Agreeable to 
custom the Committee was formed, Mr. Swan as Chairman. 

Mr. Pierce and Mr. R. B. Lee being absent, the Question, 
whether Poligamy is a dictate of Nature or not, was only handled 
by Mr. Landon Cabell and Mr. Madison. 

Resolved, that Mr. Wm. Short and Mr. Richard Lee do bring 
in Declamations, at the celebration of the Anniversary. Mr. Wm. 
Cabell being about to depart College, Mr. Daniel Carrol Brent 
is appointed to succeed him in his office as Treasurer. 

Ordered that the thanks of the Society be given Mr. Cabell for 
the faithful discharge of his office, and that Mr. Swan and Mr. 
Washington wait on him for that purpose as well as to receive the 
Books. Mr. Swan and Theodorick Fitzhugh to bring in Decla- 
mations at the ensuing meeting. Mr. Short and Mr. Nivison to 
argue. 

An adjournment. 

At a meeting in Course, September the 23rd, 1780. 

Agreeable to custom the* was formed. Mr. Brent as chair- 
man. 

Mr. Wm. Short and Mr. Theodorick Fitzhugh being absent, the 
Question, whether Avarice or Luxury is more beneficial to a 
Republic, was only handled by Mr. Swan and Mr. John Nivison. 



*The word "committee" is evidently omitted. 



6o ■': Performers and Performances 

Mr. Thomas Cocke being proposed as a Gentleman worthy a 
seat in this Society, was ballotted for and received. 

Mr. Joseph Cabell fined 20 Dollars for non-attendance on the 
Evening he was appointed to declaim. Mr. Swan, Mr. Thomas 
Lee, Mr. Washington, Mr. Madison and Mr. Nivison fined 15 
Dollars each for absenting themselves on Evenings when disen- 
gaged. Mr. A. Stuart and Mr. Brent to declaim, Mr. Roane and 
Mr. Peyton Short to argue at the ensuing meeting. 

The business being finished, an adjournment took place. 

At a meeting in Course, October 6th, 1780. 

Agreeable to custom the* was formed, Mr. Richard B. Lee as 
Chairman. 

Mr. Stuart being indisposed, and Mr. Roane being absent, the 
question, Whether Brutus was justifyable in killing Caesar, was 
handled by Mr. Brent, Mr. Short and other gentlemen not im- 
mediately interested in the debate. 

Mr. Joseph Cabell and Mr. Bushrod Washington to declaim. 
Mr. Thomas Lee and Mr. Landon Cabell to argue at the ensuing 
meeting. 

An adjournment. 

At a meeting in course, October the 22nd, 1780. The vice 
President being absent, Mr. Daniel Brent was appointed in his 
stead pro tempore. 

The vice president leaving the Chair, called Mr. Swan to the 
same. Agreeable to appointment, Mr. Joseph Cabell and Mr. 
Bushrod Washington delivered their declamation, the question, 
Whether a man in extreme want is justifiable in stealing from 
his Neighbour to relieve his present necessities? Mr. Thomas 
Lee, having obtained leave of absence, and Mr. Landon Cabell 
being absent without leave, the subject was not argued. Mr. Wm. 
Madison and Mr. Swan to bring in declamations at the ensuing 
meeting. Mr. Thomas Cocke and Mr. John Stuart to argue. 

An adjournment was agreed on. 

At a meeting called on the 30th of November. The President 
and vice President being absent, Mr. Brent Vice President pro 
tempore took the chair. The Clerk being absent, Mr. T. Lee ap- 



*The word "committee" again omitted. 



The Fourth Anniversary .61 

pointed pro tempore. Mr. Stevens Thompson Mason being rec- 
ommended as a gentleman worthy of a Seat in this Society^ was 
balloted for and received. 

Mr. Fitzhugh and Mr. Landon Cabell were appointed to speak 
for a Supper at the Raughley on the night of the Anniversary. 

Adjourned to the Raleigh on Tuesday, 7 o'clock. 

At a meeting at the Raleigh on the 5th December, to celebrate 
the Anniversary of this Noble institution, were present Mr. Brent, 
Vice President, Mr. Roane, Mr. L. Cabell, Mr. Richard Lee and 
Mr. Cocke.* 

Mr. Brent Vice President pro tempore took the chair, the clerk 
being absent, Mr. L. Cabell was appointed. The Vice President 
left the chair and called Mr. Roane to the same. Mr. Richard Lee, 
according to appointment, then proceeded to declaim on the prog- 
ress of the arts and sciences. f President Short, who was likewise 



*Note the list of those present, five in all. Evidently the men were 
drifting away from college in view of the impending crisis in military 
afifairs. For four years the scourge of war had fallen elsewhere, first in 
the North and later to the South. Now Virginia was to have her peculiar 
experience. But the fourth anniversary of Phi Beta Kappa could not 
be omitted. That the members expected so great an upheaval does not 
appear ; for only one week earlier they had added Mr. Mason to their 
circle. But the month following the anniversary wrought a great change, 
as the record of the last meeting shows. 

The concluding year of Phi Beta Kappa's life at William and Mary 
was outwardly prosperous. Twelve, or, if we should include Mr. Turber- 
ville, thirteen, members were received, several of whom in later years 
contributed largely to her reputation by distinguished achievements. But 
the year added nothing to the internal development of the organization. 
That was practically completed during the year 1779. 

The members received were Peyton Short and Joseph Cabell in April ; 
John Marshall, Bushrod Washington, Thomas Lee, and Landon Cabell in 
May; William Pierce and Richard Bland Lee in June; John Swan in 
July ; Thomas Cocke in September ; and Stephens Thompson Mason in 
November. 

fThis is the last topic discussed before the Society disbanded. Hence 
the literary features that marked early Phi Beta Kappa meetings were con- 
tinued to the last. It is evident that many topics were not recorded for the 
first one noted was discussed at the meeting of February ttj, 1779, at the 
end of two full years of activity. Here is the list of topics, which would be 
doubled had all been recorded. 

The Justice of African Slavery. 

Whether Agriculture or Merchandise is most advantageous to a State. 

Whether Brutus was justifiable in having his sons executed. 

The cause and origin of Society. 

Whether a wise State hath any interest nearer at Heart than the Educa- 
tion of the Youth. 



62 Subjects Discussed 

to declaim on this night, being absent and the business of the night 
being over, Mr. Brent returned to the chair, the remainder of the 
Evening was spent in sociabiHty and mirth. 

Mr. John Stuart and Mr. Theodorick Fitzhugh were both 
absent. An adjournment took place. 

1 781. On Saturday, the 6th of January, a meeting of $ B K 
was called for the Purpose of Securing the Papers of the Society 
during the Confusion of the Times, and the present Dissolution 
which threatens the University.* 

The members who attended were William Short, Daniel C. 
Brent, Spencer Roane, Peyton Short, and Landon Cabell. They 
thinking it most advisable that the papers should not be removed, 



Whether an Agragian Law is consistent with the principles of a Wise 
Republic. 

Whether anything is more dangerous to Civil Liberty in a free State 
than a standing army in time of Peace. 

Whether the Institution of the Ostracism was Legal. 

Whether Commonwealths or Monarchies are most subject to Seditions 
and Commotions. 

Whether a General Assessment for the support of Religious Establish- 
ments is or is not repugnant to the Principles of a Republican Govern- 
ment. 

Whether Theatrical Exhibitions are advantageous to States or the Con- 
trary. 

Is a Public or Private Education More Advantageous? Had William the 
Norman a Right to Invade England. 

On the Execution of Charles the ist. 

Whether any form of Government is more favorable to public virtue 
than a Commonwealth. 

Whether the rape of the Sabine women was Just. 

Whether Religion is necessary in Government. 

Whether in a civil war any person is justifiable in remaining Neuter. 

Whether Dueling ought to have toleration in this or any other free State. 

Whether Polygamy is a dictate of Nature or not. 

Whether Avarice or Luxury is more beneficial to a Republic. 

Whether Brutus was justifiable in killing Caesar. 

Whether a man in extreme want is justifiable in stealing from a Neigh- 
bor to relieve his present necessities. 

The progress of the arts and sciences. 

*When Mr. Jefferson became a member of the Board of Visitors and 
government, he caused the enactment of a statute, December 4, 1779, which 
reorganized the College. It did away with the Divinity chairs, and substi- 
tuted the chairs of Law and Police, and Medicine. The Grammar School 
was abolished, and Modern Language took the place of the Ancient Lan- 
guages. It recognised the Elective system by permitting the student to 
take his choice, within certain limits. The College was now frequently 
called the University, a title formally assumed in the caption of the faculty 
minutes, June 3, 1782. 



The Final Meeting 63 

determined to deliver them sealed into the Hands of the College 
Steward, to remain with him until the desirable Event of the 
Society's Resurrection. And this Deposit they make in the sure 
and certain Hope that the Fraternity will one day rise to Life 
everlasting and Glory immortal." 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



020 150 862 9 



